A diagnosis of hepatitis often brings more than medical concerns; it can also create anxiety about infecting loved ones, social stigma and uncertainty about the future.
However, experts emphasise that with the right knowledge, appropriate precautions and regular medical care, most people living with hepatitis can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
How do hepatitis A and E spread
One of the biggest misconceptions is that every form of hepatitis spreads easily within households. In reality, the mode of transmission depends on the type of hepatitis. For example, hepatitis A and hepatitis E spread through contaminated food and water. During the period of illness, maintaining meticulous hand hygiene, cleaning shared bathrooms, drinking safe water and avoiding food preparation for others until recovery can greatly reduce the already limited risk of household transmission.
Myths about hepatitis B and C
On the other hand, hepatitis B and hepatitis C behave very differently. These viruses spread through infected blood, sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission during childbirth and exposure to contaminated body fluids. Household transmission is uncommon but can occur by sharing personal items, such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers or glucose monitoring devices contaminated with blood. Most importantly, hepatitis B and C cannot spread through hugging, shaking hands, sharing meals, sitting together, coughing, sneezing or using the same bathroom. Dispelling these myths is essential to reduce the stigma that many patients continue to experience.
Research suggests that more than 60 per cent of people living with hepatitis B reside in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, regions where the stigma surrounding the disease is particularly known. Misconceptions can negatively affect mental wellbeing, delay health care seeking and reduce treatment adherence. Conversely, strong family support and open communication significantly improve quality of life and help patients remain engaged with long-term care.
Regular follow-up with a hepatologist is equally important. People living with chronic hepatitis B require periodic monitoring to determine whether the virus is active and whether antiviral treatment is needed. Hepatitis C, meanwhile, can now be cured in the vast majority of patients with modern antiviral medications administered over just a few months.
How to prevent?
Vaccination also remains one of the strongest preventive tools. Effective vaccines are available against hepatitis A, hepatitis E and hepatitis B, helping protect susceptible individuals and family members from infection. Beyond viral hepatitis, maintaining overall liver health is equally important. Adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, managing diabetes or cholesterol, and avoiding alcohol can help prevent fatty liver disease and reduce further liver injury.
Living with hepatitis does not have to define a person's future. With accurate information, timely medical care, healthy lifestyle choices and the support of family and healthcare providers, individuals can successfully manage the condition while protecting both their liver health and the well-being of those around them.
(The author is the lead consultant, hepatology and transplant hepatology at Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bengaluru)
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
