Dubai: With the travel season in full swing, residents of the UAE are headed to various destinations and they need to be aware that an estimated half a billion people are chronically infected with the hepatitis B or C virus. Globally, approximately 20 million people are infected with hepatitis E and 1.4 million with hepatitis A every year.
According to the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD), there has been a four per cent rise in hepatitis B and C cases in 2010, while the A strain registered a drop in 2011. The UAE aims to be free of hepatitis C by 2020.
Therefore, precautions such as vaccination and maintaining good hygiene can prevent you from contracting some of the strains of the virus.
Dr Fanie Jute, Regional Medical Director of International SOS, an international group that provides medical assistance, health care, emergency, evacuation and repatriation services to travellers, spoke to Gulf News about the etiology of the disease and methods of prevention.
Hepatitis and symptoms
“Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. It is most commonly caused by viruses, toxins, excessive alcohol consumption, the use of certain drugs and other diseases. The most common viruses causing hepatitis include hepatitis A and E, which are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water, and hepatitis B, C and D which are spread through infected blood or body fluids,” said Dr Jute.
Many times, the patient can be asymptomatic after having contracted the virus, making detection, diagnosis and treatment difficult. While the symptoms of hepatitis may vary with limited or no symptoms, common symptoms include abdominal discomfort, fatigue, fever, jaundice, nausea and loss of appetite.
Dr Jute cautions UAE residents about the spread of the virus and advises care. “Hepatitis can be serious and may cause severe and chronic disease, and even death, therefore, it is important to be aware of the risks of contracting hepatitis. Vaccines are available to mitigate the risks of contracting hepatitis A and B.
“We advise all UAE residents to take the necessary precautions well in advance and while travelling. That means keeping an updated record of immunisation, avoiding hazardous activities that pose a threat to health and maintaining a high level of personal hygiene. That includes washing hands often with clean water and soap, selecting safe food and clean drinking water, and practising good sanitation and proper waste disposal. Similarly, it is important to avoid sharing personal items such as toothbrushes and razors. We recommend that travellers consult their doctors well in advance of their departure to discuss prevention of hepatitis and confirm their vaccination status.
“Vaccination is key. Vaccinations against hepatitis A and/or B should be considered well in advance, before travel, to allow immunity to develop. Developing full protection will require completing full vaccine dosage.”
Treatment
While there is no specific treatment for hepatitis A and E and most people recover fully in around 1-2 months, chronic hepatitis B and C can be treated with antiviral medication. However, the treatment protocol is challenging. The best tool against the disease is prevention, advises Dr Jute.
According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 1.5 million people die from various forms of viral hepatitis.
