Hepatitis B is a serious global health problem, responsible for 1.4 million deaths every year compared to 1.5 million deaths from HIV/AIDS and 1.2 million from each of malaria and TB. India has over 40 million Hepatitis B infected patients, second only to China, and most people with chronic Hepatitis B or C are unaware of their infection, putting them at serious risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer which are life threatening.
Why is hepatitis B testing important?
The disease is transmitted parentally by unsafe injections, blood transfusion, iv drug use, unsafe sexual practices as well as from mother to child. The risk of transmission is 100 times greater than the most feared virus HIV. Most of the individuals who get infected in childhood turn to be chronic and virus remains in their blood for decades. During long run, this can not only cause cirrhosis of liver and its complications like vomits of blood, fluid collection in abdomen, unconsciousness or jaundice but even cancer of liver. In our country hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cancer. Most importantly, not all patients exposed with this virus will develop jaundice. The virus can be present even in asymptomatic individuals and the only way to detect the virus is to get tested by a simple investigation with minimal costs. All individuals irrespective of their age, gender or living standards should get him tested.
How can you protect yourself?
The reason testing is important because, early detection can lead to a better outcome of treatment. Nowadays there are safe and one pills a day treatment available for the virus if detected. These drugs, if taken appropriately with regular monitoring, can decrease the risk of complications. However, the best way to protect oneself from the virus is to be vaccinated. Indian immunization program has now included hepatitis B vaccination for all children in our state. However, children delivered in few other states and adults are not protected at present and should get vaccinated. All doctors get themselves vaccinated as we know that the only sure shot method to protect oneself is Hepatitis B vaccination.
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