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Gulf News

80% of those infected have no signs or symptoms, expert says

Al Ain Thinking she is completely healthy and vaccinated against the deadly disease Hepatitis C, an Arab expatriate woman was shocked when she tested positive in a preliminary test.

For Hepatitis C, a silent killer, no vaccination is available and the infected person cannot even notice any significant symptoms for many years. “A wrong assumption for a traceless enemy could be dangerous,” said Ahmad Al Za’abi, head of a medical campaign against Hepatitis C.

A three-day campaign, Act now Live Better, was launched by the students of the Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty of UAE University. It was aimed at creating awareness about the disease and was attended by hundreds of people at Al Jimi Mall.

“the test traced some antibodies in the woman’s blood,” said Al Za’abi noting that the she had been referred to the faculty’s laboratory for a complete medical examination.

He said there are approximately 180 million infected people all over the world. “we, unfortunately, have no statistics on the prevalence of Hepatitis C in the UAE,” he said. some 80 per cent of the people with this infection have no signs or symptoms.

“our goal is to highlight the seriousness of this disease to the people, especially that there are no symptoms during the early course of the disease,” said Al Za’abi, who is a fourth year student at the faculty. the symptoms, he said, do appear at a later stage once the disease leads to serious complications.

The disease can, however, be treated if discovered early. Hepatitis C spreads through blood transfusions or by contact with the blood of the infected patient, Al Za’abi said. the screening tests conducted during the campaign were confirmed by one of the specialised laboratories who have been dealing with this disease.

Al Za’abi said some 45 medical students were involved in the drive, working in shifts. Around 12 students were manning the desks at the mall where tests were performed on hundreds of people. “we have noticed that most of the people were under the wrong assumption that they are vaccinated against the disease,” he said. in fact, he said, they may be vaccinated against Hepatitis B, but not against Hepatitis C as there is no vaccine available yet available for it.

Hepatitis C virus is carried in the blood and it can cause chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and cancer. the virus basically attacks the liver and uses it as a host to reproduce itself.

AFTAB KAZMI/Gulf News

Early diagnosis counts

The Act now Live Better campaign in Al Ain was attended by hundreds of people. there is no vaccination available yet for this killer disease which has infected an estimated 180 million people around the world.

The virus is spread through contact with infected blood.

Common routes of infections:

n Sharing personal items such as Razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, or nail files.

n Unsecure sexual activity.

n Mother to unborn child.

Our goal is to highlight the seriousness of this disease to the people, especially that there are no symptoms during the early course of the disease.”

Ahmad Al Za’abi

Fourth year medical student and head of campaign against Hepatitis C

By Aftab Kazmi ?Bureau Chief

© Gulf News 2010. all rights reserved.