Did you know that one in 12 people across the world suffer from chronic Hepatitis B or C?

The 'Am I Number 12?' campaign launched by World Hepatitis Alliance this year, aims at disseminating the message that one must be cautious of the virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared July 28 as World Hepatitis Day this year onwards.

The WHO estimates that around 40 million Indians are carriers of Hepatitis B virus and over a lakh die from chronic Hepatitis B virus infection like cirrhosis, liver cancer, etc, each year, despite vaccine for the virus being available.

Fresh cases

To check fresh cases. especially among children, the Hepatitis B vaccination was included in the Universal Immunisation Programme three years ago, with Karnataka receiving 75 lakh vaccines that are administered along with six other vaccines.

However, what is causing concern is adults contracting the infection due to low awareness. Dr Dinesh Kini, gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospital, siad nearly 60 per cent of the liver cancers were due to Hepatitis B and the most common cause of liver cirrhosis was attributed more to Hepatitis B than alcohol. Yet, not many people tested for the virus as the awareness was low.

"However, people who are said to be carriers of Hepatitis B (protein of the virus) do not need treatment but should be routinely monitored," he said.

Dr Ravindra B S, consultant, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, BGS Global Hospital, said that while there were five types of Hepatitis viruses, B and C were dangerous.

"Many children are detected with Hepatitis B and in 90 per cent of the cases, the virus affects their liver. In adults, the infection rate is 10-15 per cent," he said. He emphasised that when a person was found to have Hepatitis B, the immediate family members should also undergo the test and if negative, must take the vaccine.

Advanced liver cancer

Citing an example, he said recently a 30-year-old software engineer came with his 65-year-old father, who had advanced liver cancer. "We found the father to be Hepatitis B-positive. Tests showed that other family members too were positive," he recalled.

Although the father, like many other Hepatitis B patients, came in an advanced stage when no treatment could be given, the engineer has been put on medication.

The myth among patients that Hepatitis B was similar to HIV was another major issue that needed to be addressed. "Hepatitis B is a virus which affects the liver, nothing else. You can wear his clothes, hug him or even eat from his plate," he stressed.

Vaccination was another important component which needed attention. "For adults, the hepatitis B vaccine is usually given in three shots over six months," said Dr Kini. The vaccination was recommended for uninfected sexual partners and household members of anyone infected with Hepatitis B, as well as, for people with certain risk factors and medical conditions. However, if a person is already infected with Hepatitis B virus, the vaccine does not provide protection against the disease, he said.

Free liver check up camp

BGS Global Hospitals has organised free liver check up camp and to launch Jaudice clinic at 67, Uttarhalli Main Road, Kengeri, 10 am Bangalore Baptist Hospital will hold vaccination camp under the aegis of its AHBAAS (A Hepatitis B Awareness And Safety) programme.