World Hepatitis Day: What is It, Significance, Theme, and Types

When is World Hepatitis Day?

World Hepatitis Day is annually celebrated on July 28.

World Hepatitis Day:

The goal of World Hepatitis Day, which is commemorated on July 28 every year, is to promote the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis,

A group of infectious diseases that includes hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Nearly 1.34 million people worldwide die from hepatitis each year, which affects hundreds of millions of people and causes both acute and chronic illnesses.

Both acute and chronic liver inflammation can result from hepatitis, which is also fatal. The most frequent cause of cirrhosis and a risk factor for liver cancer in several nations is hepatitis B.

Importance of World Hepatitis Day:

You can contract hepatitis anywhere; it is not a disease that just affects a particular population or a particular area of the globe. Around 400 million people globally are thought to have hepatitis. Worldwide, the number of hepatitis-infected individuals is thought to be around 400 million.

Blood contact or sexual activity can make you vulnerable to hepatitis. It can be transmitted to a child by a mother. Because of this, hepatitis can harm people in areas with limited knowledge of the effects of drug use or hazardous sexual behavior. Hepatitis, if left untreated, can result in liver illnesses that are potentially lethal. For hepatitis A and B, vaccinations are available.

People in developing nations routinely receive these vaccinations from their doctors at a young age. Hepatitis D and E are uncommon, while hepatitis C is easily treated. The majority of those who have hepatitis don't know they are infected nearly 90% of them. By 2030, viral hepatitis must no longer be a hazard to the public's health, according to the World Hepatitis Alliance. It is a feasible objective with your assistance.

The theme for World Hepatitis Day:

As a result of World Hepatitis Day, we have the chance to concentrate on initiatives like Increasing public awareness of the various types of hepatitis and how they are spread; enhancing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into national immunization programs.

Strengthening prevention, screening, and control of viral hepatitis and its associated illnesses; and coordinating a global hepatitis response.
The emphasis varies from year to year. Listed below is a list of the themes:

• World Hepatitis Day 2023 Theme: One Life, One Liver
• World Hepatitis Day 2022 Theme: Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer to You
• World Hepatitis Day 2021 Theme: Hepatitis Can’t Wait
• World Hepatitis Day 2020 Theme: Hepatitis-Free Future
• World Hepatitis Day 2019 Theme: Invest in Eliminating Hepatitis
• World Hepatitis Day 2018 Theme: Test. Treat. Hepatitis
• World Hepatitis Day 2017 Theme: Eliminate Hepatitis
• World Hepatitis Day 2016 Theme: Know hepatitis - Act now
• World Hepatitis Day 2015 Theme: Prevent Viral Hepatitis. Act now
• World Hepatitis Day 2014 Theme:Think again
• World Hepatitis Day 2013 Theme: This is hepatitis. Know it.

Hepatitis: What is It and What Are Its Types?

Inflammation of the liver tissue is known as hepatitis. Each person experiences hepatitis differently. Some people do not experience symptoms at all, while others develop yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), poor appetite, vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

An acute form of hepatitis is one that resolves within six months, and chronic forms are those that persist longer than six months. There are three potential outcomes of acute hepatitis, including a resolution on its own, chronic hepatitis, and chronic liver failure (rarely).

As a result of chronic hepatitis, liver scarring may develop (cirrhosis), as well as liver failure or liver cancer. Most hepatitis cases are caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses. There are other viruses that can also cause liver inflammation, such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and yellow fever virus.
The following are some important facts about Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E -

• Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis A is a liver inflammation that can result in a mild to severe sickness.
  • Ingestion of tainted food or water or direct contact with an infected individual are the two main ways that the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is spread.
  • The majority of people who contract hepatitis A develop lifelong immunity. However, a very small percentage of those with hepatitis A infection could pass away from fulminant hepatitis.
  • Lack of access to adequate water, as well as poor sanitation and hygiene, increase the risk of contracting hepatitis A. (such as contaminated and dirty hands).
  • There is a hepatitis A vaccine that is both secure and reliable.
• Hepatitis B:
  • A viral infection known as hepatitis B affects the liver and can lead to both acute and chronic illness.
  • The virus is most frequently passed from mother to child during childbirth, and delivery. It can also be spread through intercourse with an infected partner, improper injections, contact with sharp objects, or contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
  • There are safe, effective, and readily available vaccines for preventing hepatitis B.
• Hepatitis C:
  • Hepatitis C is a liver infection brought on by the hepatitis C virus.
  • The majority of hepatitis C infections result from exposure to blood from risky injection techniques, risky medical procedures, unscreened blood transfusions, injecting drugs, and sexual behaviors that expose one to blood.
  • More than 95% of people with hepatitis C can be cured with antiviral medications, but diagnosis and treatment are not widely available.
  • At present, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C.
• Hepatitis D:
  • Hepatitis D virus (HDV) replicates only with the help of hepatitis B virus (HBV).
  • Worldwide, nearly 5% of people with chronic hepatitis B infection (HBV) are infected with the hepatitis D virus (HDV).
  • Getting hepatitis B and D simultaneously (co-infection), or getting hepatitis D after having previously been infected with hepatitis B (superinfection), can cause HDV infection.
  • Indigenous populations, those who receive hemodialysis, and people who inject drugs are more likely to have HBV and HDV co-infections.
  • A successful global vaccination program against HBV has led to a decrease in HDV infection rates since the 1980s.
  • Due to a quicker progression towards hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related mortality, the combination of HDV and HBV infection is regarded as the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis.
  • Hepatitis B vaccination helps prevent hepatitis D infection, although survival rates from treatment are poor.
• Hepatitis E:
  • Hepatitis E is a liver inflammation brought on by hepatitis E virus infection (HEV).
  • Globally, an estimated 20 million HEV infections occur each year, resulting in an estimated 3.3 million hepatitis E symptomatic cases.
  • The virus spreads by the fecal-oral pathway, primarily through contaminated water.
  • Although hepatitis E is present around the world, East and South Asia are where it is most prevalent.
  • A hepatitis E virus infection vaccine has been created and received approval in China, however it is not yet available worldwide.

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