Awareness and Knowledge Gaps in Viral Hepatitis B and C: A Public Health Perspective

Abstract

Treatment of acute hepatitis B within the first 24 months is generally unnecessary, as approximately 90% of infections in adults resolve spontaneously, with or without treatment. In the early stages, medical intervention plays only a limited role, though in rare cases, antibiotics may be beneficial for severe inflammation. Chronic hepatitis B treatment strategies include interferon therapy and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues. Interferon therapy, typically administered over 24–48 weeks, is associated with adverse effects such as fatigue, depression, alopecia, and hematological abnormalities, with optimal outcomes observed in patients exhibiting elevated transaminases, absence of cirrhosis, and hepatitis B e-antigen positivity. Although many remain asymptomatic, long-term infection carries significant clinical and financial burdens. Estimated early healthcare costs for children with CHC in the United States to exceed $200 million. Complementary and herbal approaches have also been explored.  Similarly, silymarin (a flavonoid extract from milk thistle) has shown promise in difficult-to-treat hepatitis cases. . Although most participants demonstrated awareness of hepatitis B and C, misconceptions remained regarding transmission modes. Finally, phytochemical evaluations confirmed that phenolic compounds contribute significantly to the hepatoprotective activity of many traditional medicinal plants.

Keywords: Hepatitis, Medicinal Plants, Pakistan, Epidemiology