UAE doctors raise awareness on World Hepatitis Day

UAE doctors raise awareness on World Hepatitis Day

The viral infection primarily affects the liver, but it can also have significant effects on the kidneys

Published: Fri 28 Jul 2023, 4:28 PM

Today, July 28, is World Hepatitis Day (WHD) and it is the best time to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the liver and kidney against hepatitis to live a long and healthy life, a couple of UAE doctors told Khaleej Times.

Dr Prem Geovanni Johnson, specialist nephrology at Aster Hospital in Al Qusais, explained: “Hepatitis is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver, but it can also have significant effects on the kidneys and potentially lead to kidney injury and liver cirrhosis under certain circumstances.”

There are several types of viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, with hepatitis B and C being the most common culprits for these complications.

Dr Johnson noted one of the kidney-related complications that can arise from hepatitis involves inflammation and damage to the glomeruli, which are the tiny filters in the kidneys responsible for filtering blood and removing waste products. As a result, the kidneys' ability to function properly is compromised, leading to having presence of protein in the urine and potential impairment of kidney function.

He added: “When a