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New Delhi: Immersed in her new life as a couple, Rama Saini (name changed), 24 years old, did not know that the wishes made while forging the bonds of marriage, the love and solicitude of her husband in matters of health and health would be broken in a jiffy. . What turned her fairytale wedding into a nightmare is her diagnosis of hepatitis B.
"I was trying to adapt to my new family. After two months, one day suddenly, I had severe pain on the right side of my stomach and rushed to the hospital, "said Saini.
"Several blood tests have revealed that I am HIV-positive for hepatitis B and the diagnosis has changed everything: my husband's behavior, my in-laws' perception and my behavior towards me. Nobody was sitting near me, no one was eating with me and I was empty, "she said.
Rama's husband told her to undergo treatment at her parents' house, claiming that she could also rest there.
She nodded, considering that her husband loved him and went to his father's house during the illness. The time has pbaded and she has not heard from her husband. She noticed that he was avoiding her.
"It's been four years now; we live separately. Every day that pbades, I feel guilty and betrayed when my husband left me saying that they were staying together, he would also be suffering from hepatitis B, "Rama said.
Rama is not the only one dealing with the heartbreaking discrimination related to hepatitis B status, but many patients suffer from it, which has consequences on their education, career, financial conditions and their relationships.
Social stigma surrounding hepatitis B
Discrimination and marginalization of people living with chronic infection is a major concern that has a major impact on the lives of patients.
"Misconceptions and stigma attached to the disease often lead to marginalization and discrimination of patients.Our fight against the disease must be focused on several fronts: the prevention of hepatitis B through universal vaccination, the Identification and treatment of patients by screening and providing psychosocial support to patients., "Says Professor SK Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences.
The Government is currently undertaking several initiatives under the National Viral Hepatitis Program (NPHCV) to improve access to vaccines, diagnoses and treatment of patients and those at risk. . However, the stigma and discrimination badociated with these infections is a significant barrier to seeking care, adherence to treatment, and integrating mother-to-child transmission of the virus. .
"While significant efforts have been made to eliminate social discrimination against HIV / AIDS patients and thereby improve their lives, hepatitis B continues to be the focus of attention. of social stigma in India.The infection can easily be prevented by a vaccine, "said Nagaraj.S, physician and diabetologist at Infilifehealthcare Pvt ltd.
"The government will need to raise awareness about hepatitis B as it has done for HIV. Hepatitis B is spread by contact with infected blood and some other bodily fluids. The virus can be found in saliva, but it is not spread by sharing utensils, shaking hands, kissing, sneezing or coughing. There are many myths about the disease that we need to dispel and raise awareness about it, "he said.
The burden of hepatitis
There are five types of hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, in which A and E are transmitted by water and are transmitted through contaminated food or water. , then hepatitis B, C and D are transmissible by blood and are finally responsible for hepatitis D. Infection only with hepatitis B. The main concern relates to hepatitis B, which can get unknowingly pbad from an infected mother to a newborn. More than 90% of new infections with hepatitis B occur during mother-to-child transmission and early childhood.
With 1.5 million deaths a year and nearly 60 million Indians affected, viral hepatitis continues to pose a serious public health problem. Most deaths due to viral hepatitis are attributed to hepatitis B and C, also known as silent killers, as more than 80% of those infected are unaware of their infection.
Infections with hepatitis B and C can remain asymptomatic for years, even decades, slowly damaging the liver.
It is estimated that 4 crore people suffer from hepatitis B and that 0.6-1.2 crore are afflicted with hepatitis C in India.
"Fighting hepatitis is difficult because hepatitis B and C are both chronic infections that often stay dormant in the body for years before damaging the liver. Cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer are the common culminating points of these chronic infections. Most people infected with the virus are not informed about the condition of their disease, "said Sarin.
Chronic HBV infection accounts for 40 to 50% of hepatocellular carcinoma cases and 20 to 30% of liver cirrhosis cases, while chronic HCV infection accounts for 12 to 32% of cases and 12 to 20% of cases. cases of cirrhosis of the liver in the country.
Mother-to-child transmission is considered the most common mode of transmission of HBV. However, HBV infection is both preventable by a highly effective and treatable vaccine with oral medications.
The solution
"Only preventative screenings in high-risk individuals, such as those who have undergone dialysis or blood transfusion, can identify dormant infections and treat them in time. Improving the dose coverage of HCB vaccine in India at birth is essential in our fight against hepatitis B, "said Sarin.
In India, surveillance of viral hepatitis by syndromic syndrome and by a health facility is mandatory under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP).
"It is mandatory to test for a hepatitis B in a mother during pregnancy and to take preventive measures after positive results, including immunological and vaccine. Hepatitis C is now a fully treatable disease. We have effective oral medications available at a lower cost now per day. Hepatitis A & E limits and requires supportive treatment, "said Ramesh Garg, head of the gastroenterology department, Saroj Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi.
"The major change has now been made after the introduction of the hepatitis B vaccine, which is safe, affordable and well tested. The area of improvement is visible in the case of infection with hepatitis B in children, which goes from 4.7% (before the introduction of the vaccine) to 1.3 % in 2015 after the introduction of the vaccine. It is very important for everyone to get vaccinated against hepatitis B because it is an armor that you need to protect from this deadly viral disease, "he said .
Public health experts also say it is very important to educate young people about the safety of blood transfusion and the use of injectable needles. Similarly, it is essential to educate youth about the threat of hepatitis infection through dangerous needles used for tattooing and body piercing. Regular screening and vaccination can also prevent the disease.
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