Voa Science Report - Six Diseases of the Liver, Six Different Viruses, One Name: Hepatitis

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ONE: This is SCIENCE IN THE NEWS in VOA English. Im Barbara Klein. VOICE TWO: And Im Steve . This week, we will tell about six diseases of liver. The six diseases come from six different viruses. have one name for all of them: hepatitis. (MUSIC) ONE: The liver is in the upper right part the stomach area. This dark red organ is big - - it weighs more than one kilogram. And it has big job. The liver helps clean the blood and infection. It also helps break down food and store until the body needs it. Hepatitis destroys liver cells. kinds of hepatitis are much more serious than others. have identified the six kinds of hepatitis with the A, B, C, D, E and G. Which kind person has can only be known from tests for in the blood. Antibodies are special proteins that the natural defense system produces in answer to a threat. the antibody and you identify the threat. VOICE TWO: A is usually spread through human waste in water food. It is in the same group of viruses those that cause the disease polio. The hepatitis A causes high body temperature, weakness and pain. It causes with the stomach and intestines, making it difficult to or break down food. Also, the skin of a with hepatitis may become yellow. This is a sign the liver is not operating normally. To help prevent spread of hepatitis A, people should wash their hands they use the restroom or change a baby's diaper. should also wash their hands before they eat or food. VOICE ONE: Hepatitis A can spread quickly to or thousands of people. But the virus is deadly less than one percent of cases. Many people infected the virus never even get sick. But those who generally recover within two months. The World Health Organization hepatitis A is often found in Africa, Asia and and South America. People who have had hepatitis A get it again. There is a vaccine to prevent A. America's Centers for Disease Control says the vaccine the best way to protect against the disease. (MUSIC) TWO: The World Health Organization says hepatitis B is of the major diseases of mankind. WHO... officials say billion people are infected with the hepatitis B virus. than three hundred fifty million of those infected have infections. The highest rates are in developing countries. This is in the same group as the herpes and viruses. Hepatitis B vaccines have been given since the nineteen eighties. The W-H-O says the vaccine is ninety percent effective in preventing the development of infection in children and adults. VOICE ONE: Hepatitis B spreads when from an infected person enters the body of another . An infected mother can infect her baby. The virus also spread through sex, and if people share injection . Blood products from an infected person can spread hepatitis . People also can get infected if they share personal-care that might have blood on them. Examples include toothbrushes hair-cutting equipment like razors. VOICE TWO: Worldwide, most hepatitis infections are found in children. Young children are the most likely to develop a lifelong, or chronic, infection. risk of such an infection is small for children than four years. About ninety percent of babies infected hepatitis B during the first year develop chronic infections. persons are at high risk of death from liver or liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is considered be the first medicine that can protect people against cancer. (MUSIC) VOICE ONE: Hepatitis C is even more . Like hepatitis B, it spreads when blood from an person enters someone who is not infected. The hepatitis virus belongs to the same group of viruses as fever and West Nile virus. Most people infected with C develop chronic infections, often without any signs. They at high risk for liver disease and liver cancer. World Health Organization says about one hundred eighty million are infected with hepatitis C. The WHO... reports that many as four million more become infected each year. it says that one hundred thirty million of those the disease may develop diseases of the liver, including cancer. The WHO... says the highest rates of infection in Africa, Latin America and Asia. VOICE TWO: Scientists been working to develop a vaccine against hepatitis C. virus was first observed in nineteen seventy-four-. But it not officially recognized as a new kind of hepatitis nineteen eighty-nine-. The Centers for Disease Control says about million Americans have been infected with hepatitis C. It that those especially at risk include persons who inject with drugs and those who received blood or blood before nineteen ninety. (MUSIC) VOICE ONE: Hepatitis D is spread through blood, but only infects people who already hepatitis B. The virus greatly increases the chance of liver damage. Experts say hepatitis D infects about fifteen people around the world. Doctors say the best way prevent hepatitis D is to get vaccine that protects Hepatitis B. Doctors can treat some cases of hepatitis , C and D. The drugs used are very costly, . But they are less costly than another treatment possibility: a new liver. VOICE TWO: The fifth virus is E. Experts say it spreads the same way as A ---- through infectious waste. Cases often result from supplies of drinking water. Medical science recognized hepatitis E a separate disease in nineteen eighty. Hepatitis E is found in animal waste. Studies have shown that the can infect many kinds of animals, including cows, monkeys pigs. VOICE ONE: The WHO... says many hepatitis E have been reported in Central and Southeast Asia, North West Africa and Mexico. No vaccines or medicines are against hepatitis E. Most people recover, usually in several or months. But the disease can cause liver damage. , in some cases, hepatitis E can be deadly. The is especially dangerous to pregnant women. Twenty percent of with hepatitis E die in the last three months pregnancy. VOICE TWO: Scientists discovered yet another kind of in the nineteen nineties. It has been named hepatitis . The hepatitis G virus is totally different from any the other hepatitis viruses. Donald Poretz is an infectious specialist and professor at the Georgetown University School of in Washington, DC.. He says the hepatitis G virus spread through blood and blood products. But he says virus has not yet been found to cause any disease. VOICE ONE: There are no cures for any of hepatitis. The only way to protect against infection to receive vaccines against hepatitis A and B, and contact with the other viruses. And that may be difficult. Remember that some kinds of hepatitis spread through or sharing needles. Blood products should be carefully tested hepatitis. People in high-risk groups and those who have hepatitis should not give blood. They also should not to provide their organs to others after they die. organs can also spread hepatitis. VOICE TWO: Health experts people can take other steps people to protect themselves. include always washing your hands with soap and water using the restroom. Also, wash your hands after changing baby's diaper and before preparing or eating food. Experts say travelers should not drink water of unknown quality visiting foreign or unknown areas. Visitors to such areas should avoid eating uncooked fruits and vegetables. And, again, not forget to wash your hands! (MUSIC) VOICE ONE: SCIENCE IN THE NEWS was written by Nancy Steinbach. producer was Brianna Blake. Im Barbara Klein. VOICE TWO: Im Steve Ember. You can download transcripts and audio our programs, at voaspecialenglishcom.. Listen again next week for news about science in Special English on the Voice America.

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