Every year, on July 28, the World Day to fight hepatitis is marked. The leap that Romania has made in the last decade to treat viral forms is significant. Instead, instead the cases of liver steatosis come, largely determined by the lifestyle.
Diagnosis of hepatitis remains a photo challenge: Shutterstock
Hepatitis remains a major public health problem, viral hepatitis leading to the death of a person, in the world, every 30 seconds. The treatment has evolved instead in the last decade, including patients in Romania benefiting from innovative therapies. The challenges remain vaccination and testing.
Over 1.3 million people die annually due to hepatitis B and C
Globally, more than 300 million people live infected with hepatitis and over 1.3 million lose their lives annually because of hepatitis B and C, shows specialists who have carried out in recent years, with European funds, the extensive live test, evaluation and diagnosis (RO). Although the treatment possibilities have constantly evolved, the lack of information, misinformation, myths or stigmatization cause people not to test or accept the diagnosis and follow the treatment that is vital to them and to those around them, they draw attention to public health.
But what is hepatitis? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection with one of the liver A, B, D or E. It is the second infectious cause of death globally, hepatitis B and C being the most widespread chronic forms of the disease. These can cause severe complications, such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, because of which someone dies every 30 seconds. Hepatitis can also be the result of other factors, such as excessive alcohol, toxins, drugs, or autoimmune conditions.
The objective of the World Health Organization is to reduce infections by 90% and reduce deaths by 65% by 2030, as studies show that liver B virus has a percentage of 33% and liver C – 3%. The unresolved problem remains the diagnosis, the estimates being that 9 out of 10 patients with hepatitis are undiagnosed. Currently, chronic hepatitis C is a curable disease, and against hepatitis B there is a vaccine and also treatment.
According to the data provided by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) and communicated by the Association of Patients with liver disorders in Romania (APAH-RO), in Romania the prevalence decreased to 0.90% in the case of hepatitis C virus, resulting in an estimated number of about 139,000 persons currently affected. Hepatitis B virus infection, for which there are not so effective therapies as in the case of hepatitis C infection, remains a challenge, especially since the degree of vaccination of children under 18 months continues to decrease on the background of the antivaccinist current. It is estimated that between 2.2 and 6% (depending on the type of study) in the population of Romania, it is affected by hepatitis B virus infection, and some of these patients also have the delta hepatitis virus.
The forms of hepatitis and modalities of transmission
Hepatitis have two forms: acute hepatitis (in the first 6 months after infection), which are clinically manifested after about 21 days after infection, respectively chronic hepatitis (after 6 months) – in which the liver cells are progressively destroyed and replaced by connective tissue and by a network of fibrous scars, which prevents blood circulation. Acute hepatitis are relatively few as a number reported annually (several hundred), instead the detection of chronic hepatitis that determines the aforementioned complications remains a major objective.
Types of hepatitis are the following:
Hepatitis a – or the “disease of dirty hands”. The liver virus is found in the fecal matter of infected persons, and the transmission takes place through contact with objects, food, water contaminated with fecal materials from an infected person. Passing through hepatic virus infection creates immunity. However, the best method of prevention is the vaccination and, as in the case of many other diseases, the rigor respect of the hygiene rules that involve: washing the hands with soap and water, before and after using the toilet, before and after preparing food or changing diapers; correct washing of vegetables and fruits and avoiding insufficiently cooked foods; the use of non -entering drinking water sources; the correct use of condoms.
Hepatitis B – It has the path of sexual transmission (exchange of body fluids), but the transmission can also be done by contact of the damaged mucous membranes (wounds, ulcers) or by infected injected fluids, the use of infected people or other contaminated tools that can cause bleeding (for example manicure / pedicure shears)). The B virus can also be transmitted from the mother’s mother, either at birth or by breast milk. As with hepatitis A, the best method of prevention is vaccination (which also prevents hepatitis D). The hygiene rules and in this case are important, together with the use of condoms, the use of disposable syringes, avoiding the joint use of objects, etc.
Hepatitis B represents a greater challenge in terms of treatment, in severe cases being able to reach transplant.
Hepatitis C. – is transmitted by direct contact with the blood of an infected person (ACE/instrument used in common with infected persons, transfusions, organ transplant, from mother to fetus during pregnancy or through unprotected sexual contact). The virus can remain latent for a long time. May also cause cirrhosis or cancer. As with hepatitis A and B, compliance with hygiene rules, use of condom, avoiding the use of personal objects, avoiding tattooing and piercing in places that do not trust are prevention measures.
Hepatitis d – occurs in people who suffer from hepatitis B, the appearance of hepatitis D accelerating the progression of the disease, so cirrhosis can occur even 10 years earlier.
A feature of all hepatitis is that at first they are asymptomatic and come to manifest after about two months.
Symptoms of hepatitis They can be: fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), discomfort in the liver area, joint pain, muscle pain, decreased appetite. When the disease progresses, that is, in chronic forms, alarm signals can be: weight loss, water retention in tissues, enlargement of the abdomen, swelling of the joints, etc.
The fatty liver, the problem that worries
Romania has been treating chronic hepatitis with interferon-free therapy for almost ten years, which is a huge leap. There are still innovative drugs that Romanian patients so far do not benefit and still need the quality of insured to receive the treatment, but progress should be noted, says Apah-Ro president, Marinela Debu.
“Stigma remains a problem, even after so many years. I talk to patients who have hepatitis B or C and who say that even if they have escaped hepatitis viruses, some say they do not want to have any treatment, and those who have B or B plus Delta, the more they prefer not to talk about it in the social environment.
What comes from behind, and I think we will have to consider, is the pandemic of fat, liver steatosis. There are more and more people, and there are people who also have fatty liver and also have a hepatitis B virus, or have hepatitis C, or have hepatitis B plus delta. Here we will all have to understand that we have to take care of the lifestyle and lifestyle we can adjust it by walking, trying a healthier diet, trying to sleep enough, reducing the consumption of alcohol, all that means harmful, practical. If we can get them out of our lives it is really perfect, because here is a problem that comes from behind. Look that there are many children who are overweight, there are many teenagers, there are many young people. I think we all have to be aware that health education must be introduced into schools, of course, in relation to each age, but it must be introduced into schools ”said Debu.
Free tests in Bucharest
On the occasion of the World Day to fight hepatitis, under the slogan – “10 years of innovation in hepatitis C in Romania – says stop stigma among liver patient ” – The Association of Patients with liver disease in Romania (APAH-RO) also organizes information and testing for viral hepatitis B and C.
Thus, Friday, July 25, 2025, In Bucharest a quick testing and information activity for viral B and C hepatitis will take place at HIV-Sida Academy-National Institute of Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Balș”, In the time interval 10:00 – 13:00, the action being organized in partnership with Inbi “Prof. Dr. Matei Balș” and the Gastro SNMF group.
All Friday, July 25, 2025, within the time interval interval 16:00 – 19:30at Culture maid – Herastrau Parkhas a quick test for viral hepatitis B and C.
