Hepatitis is a medical condition characterised by the inflammation of the liver. It is commonly caused by viruses, but it also has other causes that include excess alcohol use, certain medicines or toxins and autoimmune diseases.
This medical condition can be acute or chronic. It can lead to liver damage.
The five main types of hepatitis viruses are hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. These viruses can be differentiated by the specific antibodies or antigens associated with each.
“Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food or water. Most people usually fully recover from hepatitis A, as it is usually short-term without long-term liver damage,” explained Cimas Health Group doctor Shecriton Muguza.
Dr Muguza said hepatitis B and C are spread by contact with bodily fluids such as blood through sexual contact, sharp objects like needles and blades, as well as from an infected mother to the unborn child.
“Hepatitis B and C can have both acute and chronic phases. Hepatitis D requires hepatitis B for its replication or multiplication. Hepatitis E is spread through the faecal-oral route through contaminated water or food,” he added.
Dr Muguza said, according to the World Health Organisation, World Hepatitis Report 2024, hepatitis accounts for 3,500 deaths every day, about 1.3 million deaths annually. In 2022, 254 million people were living with hepatitis B, and 50 million suffered from hepatitis C on a global scale.
“Hepatitis is often regarded as a ‘silent epidemic’ as most people who have it are unaware of their status. We commemorated World Hepatitis Day on July 28 under the 2025 theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break it Down”. The theme calls for immediate action to dismantle obstacles, including stigma, that prevent hepatitis eradication and liver cancer prevention,” Dr Muguza noted.
“The theme also highlights the necessity of streamlining, expanding and incorporating hepatitis services, especially testing and treatment, into national health systems. These services include immunisation, safe injection procedures and harm reduction. The campaign also aims to end hepatitis as a public health issue by 2030.”
Dr Muguza highlighted that a variety of elements can function as barriers to hepatitis care.
“Financial limitations, a lack of awareness, a fear of stigma and adverse effects, coupled with restricted access to medical specialists with specialised training, are some of the barriers to hepatitis care.
“Furthermore, a person’s capacity to adhere to hepatitis treatment measures is greatly impacted by social determinants of health, including poverty, homelessness and substance abuse,” he explained.
“Hepatitis is regarded by society as a sexually transmitted disease. This causes stigmatisation. This stigma can be broken through awareness programmes to educate people about the condition and that care is available and effective if started early before complications set in,” Dr Muguza added.
He noted that some common symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, yellow eyes and dark urine, adding that the early symptoms are non-specific and can occur in other conditions.
Dr Muguza explained that if one falls in the high-risk groups or has been exposed to hepatitis viruses, say through a spouse who has it, it is advised that they get screened for hepatitis.
“It is possible to have hepatitis without knowing it, as symptoms may be non-specific or absent. Hepatitis is usually diagnosed using certain antibody and antigen tests. Screening facilities are available in most private laboratories. Some public facilities do not have these tests,” he said.
“Treatment options for hepatitis B depend on whether it is the acute or chronic phase of the disease. In healthy individuals in the acute phase, 95% to 99% recover without long-term effects, and antiviral drugs are not usually indicated.”
Dr Muguza noted that there is a need to maintain good nutrition and hydration. In severe acute disease, there is a need for hospitalisation.