World Hepatitis day is observed on 28^th July every year. WHO estimates that approximately 1.5 million people are infected with HAV each year. Following hygienic practices is the key to keeping hepatitis at bay.

World health organization (WHO) recognizes 28^th July every year as world hepatitis day. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver due to various causes, prominent ones being – various types of viruses, alcohol, and fatty liver. WHO estimates that approximately 1.5 million people are infected with HAV each year. Hepatitis is caused by several viruses, virus like Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, can harm the liver. While Hepatitis A and E generally cause acute hepatitis, Hepatitis B and C cause chronic liver infection. Hepatitis D virus infection commonly occurs with Hepatitis B virus infection.

Hepatitis B infection is widespread in India. In India, chronic hepatitis B affects between 1.4 percent and 2.7 percent of the population overall. The prevalence of HCV infection in India is estimated at between 0.5% and 1.5%. The majority of new cases are brought on by vertical Hepatitis B transmission. In addition, it was disseminated through unsafe sexual behaviours, body piercing, and tattooing. Once infected, Hepatitis B and C can lead to chronic liver infection. The virus can be indolent in the infected person for many years without any symptoms. However, it can create an ongoing liver injury. Patients may exhibit jaundice, water in the abdomen, disorientation, or liver cancer when the liver is no longer able to make up for continuous damage.

Acute infection by viruses A and E are caused by unhygienic practices like consuming contaminated water, under cooked food, etc. After an incubation period ranging from 2 weeks to 6 weeks, patients may manifest with jaundice, abdomen discomfort or fever. In most of the cases, the symptoms are self-limiting, and there is recovery of liver function. Rarely, a patient may develop a liver illness that progresses and necessitates liver transplantation or critical care management. Early detection of the infection is crucial to preventing liver decompensation throughout the course of the disease.

Some of the preventive measures: 

While there have been significant improvements in the treatment of hepatitis B and C in recent years, prevention is the key. Some of the preventive measures that can help in keep the condition at bay are

1. By maintaining proper personal cleanliness and avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked shrimp and oysters, hepatitis A and E can be prevented. Hepatitis B, C, and D which are contracted through contaminated blood, can be prevented by not sharing drug needles, razors or toothbrush and avoiding touching spilled blood. 

2. Hepatitis B and C can also be contracted through sexual intercourse and intimate sexual contact. Practicing safe sex by using condoms  can aid in reducing the risk of infection.

3. Vaccination against hepatitis B and hepatitis A help to prevent infection. Medications with good efficacy are available for treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. These medicines help to prevent progressive liver damage caused by hepatitis virus.

4. People with immediate family members with hepatitis B should be tested for presence of infection and vaccinated if the tests turnout to be negative.

On this world hepatitis day, let us pledge to keep our liver healthy and get tested for hepatitis virus and get treatment whenever needed.

Also Read: Protect yourself from hepatitis 

Do you Know?

World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 on the birth anniversary of Dr. Blumberg (28 July 1925, USA). He and his team of researchers discovered the virus in 1967 and invented the World’s first hepatitis B vaccine in 1969.

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