Recognize hepatitis in good time

World Hepatitis Day: Early diagnosis of hepatitis can save lives

07/28/2014

In Germany, about half a million people suffer from viral hepatitis. Only one third of those affected suffers from progressive jaundice due to the typical jaundice. One third notice flu-like symptoms and another third have no symptoms at all. The latter was initially pleasant for the patient, but at the same time also very treacherous. Because the late effects of chronic viral hepatitis include liver cancer and cirrhosis. Both diseases are often fatal. To alert the public to the threat of hepatitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched World Hepatitis Day three years ago. According to the German Liver Assistance, 14,000 people die each year in Germany alone from the consequences of chronic viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis is often diagnosed too late
About 8,000 patients per year do not survive infection with hepatitis C and around 6,000 with hepatitis B viruses. As the association further informed many hepatitis diseases would not be diagnosed and treated in time. „Neither the systematic examination of risk groups nor the control of liver values ​​in preventive examinations are standard in this country“, explains Ingo van Thiel from Deutsche Leberhilfe to the news agency „dpa“. There are still too few tests for viral hepatitis. „If you do not even recognize a disease, even the best therapies do not help.“

Hepatitis B is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide. The transmission viruses are detectable above all in the blood and in a somewhat lower concentration in the saliva, the seminal fluid and the vaginal secretions of those affected. Hepatitis B is therefore also counted among the sexually transmitted diseases. Since even a very low virus concentration is sufficient for an infection, however, the infection can also be made to other close contacts, for example among family members.

In contrast, hepatitis C is mainly transmitted by blood. Therefore, people who inject drugs intravenously and share the tips with others, a high risk of infection. Infection with hepatitis C viruses via body fluids other than blood is unlikely.

Action plan against hepatitis
Doctors and affected associations have submitted an action plan to the federal government a year ago. On the one hand, this should promote early diagnosis and, on the other, reduce prejudice against hepatitis patients. „Liver diseases overall have a mess image and are equated with 'alcoholic'“, reports Michael Manns of the Hannover Medical School and co-founder of the German Liver Foundation to the news agency. Therefore, the diseases would not be detected and treated more frequently.

Currently, only ten to 20 percent of hepatitis B and C infections are diagnosed, Mann said. „Increased liver values ​​are often considered a trivial offense, they must be clarified.“

In chronic hepatitis B sufferers are similar to people with HIV lifelong dependent on drugs, in chronic hepatitis C, however, a cure is possible. Recently, the Federal Joint Committee, the highest decision-making body in the health sector, confirmed a partially significant added benefit for the active substance sofosbuvir, which is used in hepatitis C infections. „However, drug costs are still a major obstacle“, reports van Thiel. The drug should be very effective and shorten the duration of treatment and have significantly fewer side effects than already used for many years preparations.

To prevent hepatitis A and B infections there is the possibility of vaccination. The Bavarian Minister of Health Melanie Huml (CSU) therefore advises a more consistent vaccination. A corresponding vaccination recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) currently exists for certain risk groups and travel destinations. „Therefore, every tourist should inform himself fully about his destination before departure“, Huml told the news agency. (Ag)