This is Hepatitis

“Hepatitis B or C can lead to liver scarring (cirrhosis) and other complications, including liver cancer or liver failure. Every year 1.5 million people die from either hepatitis B or C.”

The hepatitis B virus is spread through direct contact with infected blood as well as most major body fluids including semen and vaginal fluid. The hepatitis C virus is spread through direct contact with infected blood. Very rarely, hepatitis C can also be passed on through other body fluids. Many people do not have any symptoms if they contract hepatitis B or C, although they can still transmit the virus to others.

The most common routes of hepatitis B and C infection are:

• receiving blood products before viral hepatitis screening was introduced
• sharing equipment for injecting drugs
• medical or dental interventions in countries where equipment is not adequately sterilised
• sharing razors, toothbrushes or other household articles
• tattooing and body piercing if done using non sterile equipment
• mother to infant during childbirth (commonest route of transmission for Hepatitis B)

Advanced liver disease picture courtesy of Patricia Walker, MD,
Ramsey Clinic Associates, St. Paul, MN

Cirrhotic liver with liver cancer