[Click! Health] Beware of Hepatitis to Prevent Liver Cancer... Take Precautions Early

July 28 was designated as 'World Hepatitis Day' by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO has designated July 28 every year as World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, which is a major cause of liver cancer and severe diseases, and to provide accurate information about the disease.

Viral hepatitis refers to inflammation of liver cells and liver tissue caused by viral infection. Hepatitis caused by viruses requires caution as it can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer if it persists for a long time. According to the WHO, more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from hepatitis B and C, and over 1 million people die annually from these diseases. However, due to low awareness, many patients still do not receive optimal treatment.

Bu Ji-won, head of the Department of Gastroenterology at Incheon Himchan General Hospital, said, “Unlike hepatitis A and E, which mostly recover spontaneously, hepatitis B and C tend to progress to chronic conditions and have a higher probability of causing severe diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. In Korea, hepatitis B is the most common, but many people are unaware of their infection because they have no symptoms and visit hospitals only when the disease has significantly progressed.”

Hepatitis B Can Be Prevented Early Through Vaccination

In fact, 60% of liver cancer cases are known to be caused by hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is considered the most threatening hepatitis because current treatments cannot completely eliminate the virus. The chronic hepatitis B virus carrier rate among adults is known to be about 3-5%, and according to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, over 400,000 people visited hospitals for hepatitis B in 2021 alone.

The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person. Vertical transmission can occur when a virus carrier mother passes the virus to her baby during childbirth, or infection can occur when blood or bodily fluids infected with the hepatitis B virus come into contact with broken skin or mucous membranes. Since there are no clear symptoms at onset, symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, and muscle pain, which resemble general declines in daily condition, make it difficult to notice the disease. Because viral hepatitis can be transmitted to family members, it is advisable to get a blood test if there is a patient in the family or if one has never been tested before.

Hepatitis B treatment depends on liver damage and viral replication status; treatment may start immediately or regular monitoring may be conducted. Particularly, long-term administration of antiviral drugs for active hepatitis B is necessary. Antiviral treatment is known to reduce the risk of cirrhosis by about 65% and liver cancer by about 50%, but since there is no cure, patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B must be regularly monitored and managed.

Additionally, since hepatitis B is common in Korea, vaccination is important, and it is necessary to confirm whether antibodies have formed after vaccination. The hepatitis B vaccine is included in the National Immunization Program (NIP), and all infants are required to receive a total of three vaccine doses. Adults without hepatitis B antibodies are also eligible for vaccination.

[Photo by Himchan Hospital]

Hepatitis C, Which Has No Vaccine, Requires Antiviral Treatment

Only 30-40% of hepatitis C cases recover naturally after acute infection, and more than 70-80% are likely to progress to chronic infection. According to Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service statistics, about 35,000 patients visited hospitals for hepatitis C in 2021, making it the second most common hepatitis after hepatitis B.

The hepatitis C virus is also transmitted through the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals, similar to hepatitis B. In the past, it was mainly transmitted through blood transfusions, but since the introduction of hepatitis C screening for all donated blood, transmission through transfusions has significantly decreased. Hepatitis C can be transmitted by sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers with patients, or through tattoos and piercings. If diagnosed with hepatitis C during health checkups, acute cases are managed with mental and physical rest and a high-protein diet, while chronic cases require antiviral treatment. Since hepatitis C has a high probability of progressing from acute to chronic but has a 98% antiviral treatment success rate, early treatment is crucial.

Because there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, thorough prevention in daily life is necessary. It is advisable to avoid sharing personal items such as nail clippers and razors, prohibit reuse of syringes or needles, use condoms during sexual intercourse, and undergo early treatment through screening. Above all, hepatitis C patients must abstain from alcohol, as drinking worsens liver function and accelerates liver cancer development more than other liver diseases.

Bu Ji-won, head of Incheon Himchan General Hospital, said, “Anyone can be infected with hepatitis B or C, which can cause severe diseases such as liver cancer, but since it is difficult to detect infection, prevention is essential. Most patients receive antiviral injections or oral medications; although hepatitis B cannot yet be cured, proper treatment allows normal life, and hepatitis C can be completely cured with medication.”