World Hepatitis Day: Expert Highlights Key Transmission Routes of Hepatitis B

Accra: From mother-to-child transmission to sexual contact, tattoos and the sharing of sharp instruments, Dr Philip Nyinaku, Senior Public Health Physician Specialist at the 37 Military Hospital, has shed light on some common ways hepatitis B can be transmitted. According to him, mother-to-child transmission remains one of the major routes of infection in Ghana, making antenatal screening and treatment during pregnancy critical in reducing the spread of the disease. According to Ghana Web, Dr Nyinaku emphasized that mother-to-child transmission is a significant concern in Ghana. He advocated for regular antenatal checks for pregnant women and stressed the importance of treating those who test positive to reduce their viral load. Babies born to infected mothers should receive immunoglobulin and vaccination to prevent infection, he advised. Dr Nyinaku highlighted the importance of targeting newborns to achieve the global goal of eliminating hepatitis B, stating that Ghana could make significant progress towar ds the 2030 target if prevention measures are strengthened. He explained that hepatitis B is caused by a virus and is among the five major types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. While hepatitis A and E are primarily spread through contaminated food and water, hepatitis B, C, and D are transmitted through body fluids and blood products. Dr Nyinaku detailed that hepatitis B, C, and D can spread through sexual intercourse, sharing sharp objects, tattoos, ear piercing, and the use of unsterilised instruments by traditional practitioners. He clarified that hepatitis B is not transmitted through casual contact such as coughing, swimming together, or ordinary interaction. Infections spread through contaminated food and water mainly pertain to hepatitis A and E, which are typically self-limiting and do not commonly become chronic. World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28 to raise global awareness of hepatitis, a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and to encourage pr evention, diagnosis, and treatment.