Imagine a disease far more contagious than HIV, that doesn't go away, that can cause liver cancer and that your child can easily pick up from an infected playmate. Welcome to the world of Hepatitis B.
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Yes, it is true. Hepatitis B is “very much more contagious – in fact, fifty times more - than HIV”, says Dr Eftyhia Vardas from the Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand.
There are many types of hepatitis such as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F and H. Of all these, D, E, F and H are rare, while Hepatitis B is the most common in South Africa and Africa. It causes more deaths than all the other types of hepatitis combined.
Hepatitis B facts
The most scary facts regarding the Hepatitis B virus can be summarised as follows:
"The big problem with this virus is that it can survive, sometimes for a hours or even days, on surfaces such as desktops and stair railings – and still infect someone. HIV only survives for a few minutes outside the human body."
This virus can be transmitted easily. An exchange of a small quantity of blood through tiny grazes or cuts is all that is needed. The spread of Hepatitis B happens mostly by means of sex, rough play amongst children, sharing of toothbrushes or razors, touching or by having direct contact with a bleeding wound. Those at very high risk are people who have tattoos done, medical staff and people who share drug needles. "But they are not the only ones at risk – just going about your daily life could put you at risk. In fact, many people who are carriers of this virus could be spreading it to others and be unaware that they are doing so," says Dr Vardas.
The fact that this virus can lead to chronic infection, serious liver complications, liver failure, liver cancer and death explains why its spread is such a concern. Between 15 – 25% of chronically ill infected people will die as a result of it. It is also impossible to get rid of it, once you've been infected. "Ninety percent of children who have Hepatitis B, also remain carriers for life, often without knowing it," says Dr Vardas.
As many as 5 – 7 million South Africans are affected by this virus. The South African statistics paints a dark picture:
8% of South African children under the age of one
16% of children under the age of six
10 – 18% of South African adults are Hepatitis-B carriers for life. You could be one of them without knowing it.
“All people who are infected eventually do get symptoms. This is a difficult infection to treat and while the chronic infection caused by the virus can be treated, the virus itself can't be eliminated," according to Dr Vardas. "It can always turn up again."
What you can do to prevent Hepatitis B infection
The good news is that a simple vaccine available against this virus, making it the only cancer that is preventable in this manner. This vaccine has been part of the routine childhood immunisation programme in South Africa since 1995. Adults can also be vaccinated. This will provide them with instant immunity against the virus.
Steps you can take to prevent getting infected with Hepatitis B, include:
Get vaccinated (even more urgently if you are a health care worker). The vaccine is sufficiently effective, that 95% of people who have been vaccinated will not contract a serious form of the disease.
Use latex condoms correctly every time you have sex , as the Hepatitis B-virus is easily spread during sexual intercourse. The virus is present in sperm, vaginal fluid and the bloodstream.
Don't do drugs, but if you do and can't stop, never share needles or syringes. If someone who has Hepatitis B shares a needle with you, the virus can get directly into your bloodstream in this way.
Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching lift buttons, public taps, stair railings etc. The Hepatitis B virus can survive for days on open surfaces such as these and it is easily spread in this manner.
Avoid contact with dirty tattooing or piercing instruments. If these instruments have been used on someone who is infected with Hepatitis B, the virus, present in blood, can be transmitted to you via the dirty needles of these instruments.
Don't share razors or toothbrushes, as infected blood can spread easily from one person to another by means of these personal care items.
Avoid contact with open wounds, cuts or grazes, as the Hepatitis B virus is bloodborne and can easily get into your bloodstream if you also have an open cut, wound or graze.
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