It is estimated that one in 12 people worldwide live with some form of chronic hepatitis. Although the mortality rate is less than 1%, the public knows little about the illness and its effects.
Dr Jeffrey Mphahlele, of the University of Limpopo’s virology department, says hepatitis is simply the inflammation of the liver, which can present as acute — referring to the initial infection — or chronic hepatitis — which follows the initial infection and can stay with those affected for years or even their entire lives.
There are various forms of this illness. Hepatitis A, B and, to a lesser extent, C are the most common forms of the illness found in South Africa.
The presence and type of virus can be confirmed by laboratory tests, usually a blood test.
Hepatitis A is considered the least harmful of the variations. It usually occurs in young children and there are often no harmful symptoms.
“The hallmark of acute hepatitis A infection is jaundice — the yellowing of the skin or eyes. Other symptoms include nausea, diarrhoea and muscle and joint pain,” says Mphahlele.
This form of the virus is most often spread through the ingestion of contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B is regarded as the “silent killer”. Each year hundreds to thousands of people seek medical care or are hospitalised — and even die — from hepatitis B.
The virus is spread in a similar fashion to HIV, although it is much easier to catch. It can be spread by having sex with an infected person, contact with infected blood or saliva, sharing items such as needles and toothbrushes and can also be passed from infected mothers to newborn babies.
“It is estimated that more than 50% of the South African population has been exposed to the virus and that at least three million people are chronic carriers. The younger the age at infection, the higher the chances are of contracting chronic hepatitis B,” says Mphahlele.
Chronic hepatitis B carriers carry the virus in their bodies for years or for life and they are at an increased risk of experiencing liver problems or suffering liver failure, especially from cirrhosis (liver damage) or cancer of the liver.
“The most effective measure in dealing with the illness is vaccination,” says Mphahlele.
“The national health department has been providing national childhood immunisation against hepatitis since 1995. Children born before April 1995 and adults who require a hepatitis B vaccine should consult a doctor for further information.”
Studies conducted among South African children indicate that the majority of babies (more than 95%) who receive the hepatitis B vaccine become protected, clearly indicating that the vaccine is highly effective in children.
Childhood vaccination against hepatitis B drastically reduces the rate of new infections and thereby reduces the burden of hepatitis B-related liver disease later in life.
“However, receiving the vaccine for hepatitis B will not prevent infection with hepatitis A, for example,” says Mphahlele.