Medical examination results obtained from the UK P&I Club PEME clinic network show that 10.1% of crew unfitness is related to hepatitis, while 8.5% of the total crew found unfit due to Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver. The condition can progress to fibrosis (scarring), or liver cancer. Other infections, toxic substances, and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hepatitis is responsible for 1.34 million deaths in 2015. Moreover, 325 million people worldwide carried hepatitis B or C virus infections. Although vaccines exist for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, the development of a hepatitis C vaccine has presented challenges.
The symptoms of Hepatitis include:
- Fatigue;
- Flu-like symptoms;
- Dark urine or pale stool;
- Abdominal pain;
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss;
- Yellow skin and eyes,which may be signs of jaundice.
Chronic hepatitis develops slowly, so these signs and symptoms may be too subtle to notice.
Furthermore, there are five types of hepatitis viruses, identified by the letters A, B,C,D, and E. While all cause liver disease, they have may differences:
1. Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
Present in faeces and most often transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. Certain sex practices can also spread HAV. Infections are in many cases mild, with most people fully recovering. However, HAV infections can also be serious and life threatening. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HAV.
2. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Transmitted through exposure to infected blood, semen and other body fluids. HBV can be transmitted from infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family member to infant in early childhood. It can also be transmitted through transfusions or contaminated injections. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HBV.
3. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This may occur through transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. There is no vaccine for HCV.
4. Hepatitis D virus (HDV)
Infections happen only in those who are infected with HBV. The infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and a worse result. Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection.
5. Hepatitis E virus (HEV)
Mostly transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. HEV is a common cause of hepatitis outbreaks in developing countries. Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.
