A medical condition characterized by inflammation of the liver, Hepatitis, poses a significant threat to human health due to its diverse transmission modes and potential impact on survival.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, emphasizes that despite its severity, hepatitis is not a death sentence.
Early detection and treatment play a crucial role in preventing the progression of the disease to more severe stages, such as chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis.
According to Dr. Kuma-Aboagye, timely identification of viral hepatitis is essential to initiate treatment promptly, which in turn prevents disease advancement, transmission, complications, and overall public health issues. Regular screenings, particularly for high-risk populations, are pivotal for detecting infections early and ensuring appropriate medical intervention.
The mode of viral hepatitis transmission, primarily through body fluids, renders everyone susceptible to infection, potentially leading to serious consequences. Transmission can occur through various means, including unprotected sexual contact, sharing contaminated needles or syringes, mother-to-child transmission during childbirth or breastfeeding, consumption of contaminated food or water, and direct contact with infected feces.
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye emphasizes that the most accessible method to prevent and manage infections is screening.
Hepatitis can silently infiltrate the body, causing damage before symptoms emerge. Early detection through screening enables timely intervention, preventing liver damage and reducing the risk of severe complications. It’s worth noting that asymptomatic individuals can still transmit the virus to others.
The Director-General urges all citizens to undergo screening, stressing that this step is vital for achieving Ghana’s goal of diagnosing 90% of Hepatitis B and C cases and providing treatment for at least 80% of affected individuals, thereby curbing the growing disease burden. He highlights that while some forms of hepatitis are curable, others are manageable, allowing infected individuals to lead normal lives if detected and treated early.
Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis denotes liver inflammation and is commonly triggered by viral infections. The five primary types of viral hepatitis—A, B, C, D, and E—are caused by distinct viruses, sharing similar modes of transmission through contact with infected individuals’ bodily fluids or blood.
Notably, the hepatitis virus is present in blood and certain bodily fluids, and transmission occurs when non-immune individuals come into contact with these fluids. Transmission can occur via various means, such as unprotected sex, needle-sharing, and mother-to-child transmission during childbirth.
Symptoms of viral hepatitis vary based on the virus type and infection stage. These include fatigue, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Importantly, not all infected individuals exhibit symptoms, especially in the early stages of infection.
Antiviral medications, vaccines, and interventions tailored to specific virus types (A, B, C, D, or E) can manage infections, prevent complications, and enhance recovery prospects. While no effective vaccine exists for hepatitis C, early diagnosis can mitigate resultant health problems and transmission risks.
Preventing viral hepatitis involves practicing good hygiene, getting vaccinated (where available), practicing safe sex, avoiding needle-sharing, and adhering to safe medical procedures.
Dr. Adwoa Agyei-Nkansah, a hepatologist, confirms the curability of Hepatitis C but highlights the obstacle of expensive testing and treatment costs, particularly for economically disadvantaged patients. Efforts are underway to subsidize diagnostic costs and encourage more individuals to seek medical attention, contributing to Hepatitis eradication.
Testing Hesitancy and National Burden
Despite a growing burden of hepatitis infections and fatalities in Ghana, diagnosis, treatment, and awareness remain low. Dr. Atsu Godwin Seake-Kwawu, the Programme Manager of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, reveals that the country houses 1.5 million people with Hepatitis B and C, resulting in over 3,000 annual deaths from liver cancer and cirrhosis. However, testing hesitancy has led to only a small percentage of individuals with chronic Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C receiving proper diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Seake-Kwawu emphasizes the importance of testing, particularly for pregnant women, to ensure early treatment and prevent transmission to unborn babies. He notes that the World Health Organization (WHO) targets hepatitis elimination by 2030 and encourages Ghanaians to undergo regular testing to know their status and receive timely treatment.
The GHS is intensifying efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis, implementing initiatives such as screening pregnant women for the condition and providing post-delivery vaccinations to curb virus spread. Dr. Seake-Kwawu underscores the significance of prevention, testing, treatment access, and chronic care, considering the expensive medication costs.