Viral Hepatitis
Viral Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection; The infection is a serious global public health problem, the six distinct types of viral hepatitis viruses include; A, B, C, D, E and G. The five common (5) types; A, B, C, D and E are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread.
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For Hepatitis A virus (HAV), and Hepatitis E virus (HEV), the primary source of infection is the feces, with the fecal-oral route being the most predominant mode of transmission. Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Hepatitis D virus, (HDV), and Hepatitis G virus (HGV) are bloodborne viruses and are primarily transmitted through a breach in the skin (percutaneous) or mucosa (mucosal) or vertical (mother-to-child transmission).
All Hepatitis viral infections are acute, but hepatitis B, C, D, and G can also result in chronic infections. Acute viral hepatitis A and E infections are common in children and pregnant women. Hepatitis A (HAV) accounts for two-thirds of all cases of acute viral Hepatitis in children; almost 96% of the population is exposed to HAV by the age of 5 years and 98-100% at adulthood. Hepatitis E (HEV) is a disease of mild to moderate severity (mortality rate of 0.4–4.0%) except in pregnancy, where the mortality rate may reach 20% in the last trimester of pregnancy especially during epidemics.
Hepatitis Impact In Uganda
In Uganda's 2010 National Statistics, 52% of the population was exposed to HBV, with 10% (3.5 million) infected, 30% of whom required treatment. Regional HBV prevalence ranged from 3.8% (South-West) to 23.9% (North-East). The 2016 Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) reported an overall HBV prevalence of 4.1% (5.4% in men, 3.0% in women). Regional rates varied, with the highest in Mid-North (4.6%) and North-East (4.4%) and the lowest in South-West (0.8%).
What You Didn`t Know About Hepatitis
- Viral Hepatitis is included in target 3.3 of the sustainable development goal (SDG)3.
- Eliminating viral HBV and HCV as public Health threats by 2030 would prevent approximately 36 million infections and save 10 million lives.
- Birth Dose Vaccine adoption in many African members as a cheaper option elimination strategy will be critical and achievable.
- Hepatitis B is the major infective occupational hazard to the following; health care workers, emergency personnel, staff of jails, prisons and grouped homes.
- Hepatitis B and C is not spread through sharing food, water, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, coughing or sneezing, urine, stool, hugging or kissing, and mosquitoes.
- 9 out of 10 people living with viral Hepatitis are unaware that they are infected; only 20% of those living with hepatitis C and less than 10% living with hepatitis B are aware of their condition
- Majority of viral hepatitis associated deaths are preventable. Vaccination provides protection against hepatitis B, safe blood and injection practises and harm reduction are highly effective at protecting against HBV and HCV.
- Elimination should include not just eradication through prevention, but elimination of the current suffering of those with disease. Vaccines for hepatitis B are available; curative medicines are available for Hepatitis C
- The WHO’s Elimination Strategy by 2030 is based on five synergistic prevention and treatment targets; and they include; immunization against Hepatitis B, prevention of mother to child transmission of hepatitis B, blood and injection safety, comprehensive harm reduction services, testing and treatment.
World Hepatitis Day Introduction
World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the world health organisation (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor day, world Immunisation week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco day, World Malaria Day, and World AIDS Day. The World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) in Collaboration with patient groups declared May 19 the first global world hepatitis day. Following the adoption of a resolution during the 63rd world hepatitis assembly in May 2010, World Hepatitis Day was given global endorsement as the primary focus for national and international awareness praising efforts and the date was changed to July 28th in honour of Nobel Laureate Baruch Samuel Blumberg, Discoverer of the hepatitis B virus, who celebrates his birth day on the same date.
Ongoing Projects
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Empowering Emin Pasha Hotel Staff to Promote Better Health through viral Hepatitis Literacy and Screening services. -
Empowering the Church Community to Promote Better Health through Hepatitis Literacy and Service delivery in Kampala Central Church, SDA Kampala District Health Camp
LUGEI FOUNDATION(LF) VIRAL HEPATITIS PROGRAMMING APPROACHES 2020
Lugei Foundation(LF) approaches in curbing viral hepatitis fight as we gear towards 2030 global hepatitis elimination strategy and the national hepatitis strategy for Uganda focuses on the diferent models or approaches below.
Our Outreaches
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Outreach testing and screening activities for hepatitis B/hepatitis C/HIV/AIDS
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Awareness raising and/or advocacy initiatives
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Engaging with Hepatitis B/Hepatitis C/HIV/AIDS ambassadors or Celebrities
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Capacity building and Trainings
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Media Campaigns such as Social media networks
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Viral Hepatitis A
Viral Hepatitis A (HAV)
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Transmission
Main mode of transmission through faeco-oral route, for example, through eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water. The disease has a preference for areas with poor sanitation, hygiene and lack of safe water
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Prevention
Hepatitis A is vaccine-preventable but no definitive treatment, though exposure to the virus evokes short-term immunity in individuals. The exposure risk can be greatly reduced by good and safe hygiene, excreta disposal and sanitation modalities, and protected and safe water sources advocated, especially for drinking water in the communities.
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Treatment
There is no definitive treatment for hepatitis A, though the body’s immune system has the ability to clear the infection within a few weeks. However, hepatitis A poses also a threat, causing further complications.
Viral Hepatitis B
Viral Hepatitis B (HBV)
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Transmission
Main mode of transmission through faeco-oral route, for example, through eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water. The disease has a preference for areas with poor sanitation, hygiene and lack of safe water
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Prevention
Hepatitis B is vaccine preventable but has no definitive cure; therefore, hepatitis B vaccination is very effective.
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Treatment
Antiviral drugs and therapy for viral Hepatitis is available majorly to reduce the risk of complications, slow progression, and replication of the already existing disease
Viral Hepatitis C
Viral Hepatitis C (HBC)
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Transmission
Blood-to-blood contact, with the commonest modes of infection being unsafe injection practices, certain sexual practices, unscreened blood and blood products, and inadequate sterilization of surgical and medical equipment.
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Prevention
There is no vaccine for viral hepatitis C; to reduce exposure risk, avoid sharing sharps and other inanimate objects like tooth brushes, razors, nail clippers, scissors, tattoos, and body piercings from unlicensed facilities.
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Treatment
Hepatitis C is curable; there are potent direct-acting antiviral drugs that can cure viral Hepatitis C. The high cost of the drugs makes it difficult for a rise in the cure rates, but the differences in the hepatitis genotypes are disappearing as cure rates with the new antiviral drugs approach 100%.
Viral Hepatitis D
Viral Hepatitis D (HBD)
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Transmission
Blood borne; contact with blood of an infected person.
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Prevention
Hepatitis D cannot occur alone; it only affects people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus. Getting the HBV vaccine is the mainstay of conferring protection against hepatitis D.
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Treatment
No effective antiviral is known, but treatment with interferon helps.
Viral Hepatitis E
Viral Hepatitis E (HBE)
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Transmission
Faeco-oral through contaminated food or drinking water; outbreaks common where there is lack of safe water and poor sanitation and hygiene
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Prevention
Hepatitis E is vaccine preventable, but the vaccine is not widely available. Safe hygiene, clean, protected water sources, and good sanitation practices reduce the risk of exposure to hepatitis E.
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Treatment
No effective antiviral is known, but treatment with interferon helps.