Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that affect the liver primarily, but what is particularly sinister about them is that they can remain quiet for years. They are also commonly known as "silent killers" because they can be present in the body without any apparent symptoms, enabling the virus to progressively damage the liver over the course of many years. In many cases, individuals with hepatitis B or C are unaware of their infection. This is because the early stages often do not produce any obvious signs. The liver is a resilient organ, capable of functioning even when partially damaged, which means that symptoms typically appear only when the disease has significantly progressed.
This article is authored byDr Sukhvinder Singh Saggu, Director - Minimal Access, GI & Bariatric Surgery at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
Don't Wait for Symptoms: Understanding Hepatitis's Quiet Impact on Liver Health.
Subtle Symptoms, Silent Threat
When they do appear, they tend to be mild and nonspecific, e.g., fatigue, loss of appetite, pain in the joints, or slight abdominal pain. Since these symptoms can readily be confused with other widespread disorders, the infection continues to go unnoticed. In others, the initial sign of trouble may not develop until complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer start to occur.
Undiagnosed Millions: The Silent Epidemic
As many as 296 million individuals have chronic hepatitis B and 58 million have chronic hepatitis C globally, as per WHO. A high proportion of them remain undiagnosed. The silent development places emphasis on routine screening and early detection, which is all the more necessary in those at increased risk, like individuals with a past history of blood transfusion, unsafe injections, unprotected sex, or vertical transmission from mother to child.
Don't Miss:Postpartum Recovery: Tips To Ease Back, Tailbone, And C-Section Pain For New Mothers
The good news? Hepatitis B is preventable through vaccination, and hepatitis C is treatable with antiviral drugs. Early detection allows for early treatment, which can halt permanent liver damage and save lives.
Hepatitis B and C do not yell, but they quietly pull on the liver year after year. Don't wait for the symptoms. Routine liver screening and blood work, particularly among high-risk individuals, will catch the infection early and lower long-term health consequences. Awareness is the initial step toward protection in liver wellness.
Don't Miss:5 Early Diabetes Warning Signs In Your Body To Watch Out For
Image Credits: Freepik
If you liked this story, then please share it. To read more such stories, stay connected to HerZindagi
Take charge of your wellness journey—download the HerZindagi app for daily updates on fitness, beauty, and a healthy lifestyle!
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation