New Delhi: Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan is now the goodwill ambassador for hepatitis in Southeast Asia. A survivor of hepatitis B himself, he will now be an integral part of the campaign to help spread awareness of about the disease.
Bachchan contracted the disease in 1982 when he was administered several units of blood and one of them was carrying the hepatitis virus. It damaged 75 per cent of his liver.
He said, “I have realised how disabling something like this [hepatitis] can be. I was unaware what hepatitis is and how it can be detected. But when I found out, I felt that I must work towards not entirely eradicating it but at least spreading awareness. Fortunately, the medical team informed me that I could live on the remaining 25 per cent.”
Hepatitis kills over 4.1 lakh lives in the Southeast Asia every year and as per latest estimates by the World Health Organisation, 90 million people suffer from chronic liver disease.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a liver disease or infection generally characterised by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissues of liver. It generally has no symptoms but the virus can lead to jaundice. It can also lead to acute liver failure. It is caused by a variety of various viruses: Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.
Types of Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A virus or HAV is transmitted through intake of contaminated food/water or through direct contact with an infectious person. Poor sanitation and hygiene can also lead to HAV. Hepatitis A is rarely fatal and doesn’t cause chronic liver disease.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can cause both acute and chronic disease. It is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. This virus can also lead to liver cancer. Hepatitis B is an occupational hazard for health workers but can be prevented by using safe and effective vaccine.
Hepatitis C
Caused by the hepatitis C virus, hepatitis C can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis infection. The infection can range from mild to lifelong illness such as liver cancer. Antiviral medicines can reduce the risk of death from liver cancer but access to the medicines and its treatment is very low.
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D virus or HDV requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its reproduction. It is generally known as super infection as if a person has hepatitis B, the risk of getting infected by D virus increases. The virus D is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. There is no treatment of hepatitis D but can be prevented hepatitis B immunisation.
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E is caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV). It can lead to acute liver failure. The transmission of hepatitis E can happen via contaminated water. It is found worldwide but its prevalence is high in South Asia. As per WHO, the vaccine to prevent hepatitis E is only available in China.
