RAJSHAHI, Aug 2, 2018 (BSS)- Generating a large-scale public-awareness can
be the crucial means of preventing hepatitis viruses particularly B and C as
those are gradually taking a heavy toll on society and the nation as well.
Disseminating their expertise medical practitioners here mentioned
infection of the viruses as fire without flame and a silent killer. They put
emphasis on the need of collective efforts to address the transmission of the
viruses.
Dr Mahbubur Rahman Khan, Professor of Department of Medicine in Rajshahi
Medical College Hospital (RMCH), said hepatitis B virus is a common problem
for the society and its treatment is continuously changing and improving.
Talking to BSS here he mentioned that the number of liver patients is
increasing in our society for lack of knowledge about prevention of liver
diseases. He said jaundice, bleeding, weight loss and severe itching are the
last stage of liver disease caused by the hepatitis viruses.
Dr Mahbubur Rahman Khan viewed transmission of the viruses takes place
through mainly blood, sharing needles or other injecting equipment,
vaccination, IV infusion, contaminated dental and surgical instruments,
sharing razor blades or toothbrushes, IV drug abuse, piercing and sexual
contact.
Besides, old age, male sex, obesity, virus genotype, viral load, fatty
liver, alcohol ingestion, co-infection with other viruses and stage of
fibrosis, especially F3, F4 are the major risk factors for the virus
transmission.
Many of people can prevent the disease if he or she maintains something
like healthy balanced diet, consumption of more fruits and vegetables, normal
weight, regular exercise, avoid alcohol, drinking lots of water to help flush
out toxins, positive attitude and avoid high doses of vitamins A, D, E, K.
“We have no way but to raise stimulating awareness about different forms of
hepatitis and various methods of prevention and treatment,” he said and
adding that importance should be given to creating awareness among people to
prevent the ‘silent killer’.
DR Harun-Or- Rashid, associate professor of Hepatology of RMCH, said the
majority of people infected with hepatitis are unaware, undiagnosed and
untreated due to lack of awareness.
Emphasizing the need of increasing awareness, he said despite its
staggering toll on health, hepatitis remains a group of diseases that are
largely unknown, undiagnosed and untreated hepatitis means inflammation of
the liver, an irritation or swelling of the liver cells.
DR Harun said hepatitis viruses- A, B, C, D and E-can cause acute and
chronic infection and inflammation of the liver, leading to cirrhosis and
liver cancer. So, there is no alternative to prevent the viruses with
collective efforts.