What is hepatitis D, the deadly viral disease now given a cancer tag by WHO?
Hepatitis D is different from the others. It only infects people who already have hepatitis B, but together, the two viruses are far more harmful. According to WHO, having both increases the risk of liver cancer two to six times compared to hepatitis B alone.The virus spreads through infected blood, unprotected sex, unsafe injections, or occasionally from mother to child during birth.Symptoms, if they appear, are usually vague and includes fatigue, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine or yellowing of the skin. Many people ignore these signs or confuse them with other illnesses.There isn't a separate vaccine for hepatitis D. The only way to stop it is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine, which protects against both viruses. WHO says 147 countries now offer newborn vaccinations, but testing and treatment for existing cases still lag far behind.When it comes to the treatment of hepatitis D, medications are still evolving. However, the full benefit of reducing liver cirrhosis and cancer deaths can only be realised through urgent action to scale up and integrate hepatitis services – including vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment – into national health systems.Health experts say better awareness, early screening and wider access to treatment could save millions of lives by 2030. For now, the key advice is simple: get vaccinated, get tested, and don't ignore liver health.- Ends
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