Here Are 11 Facts To Know About Hepatitis As The World Marks Hepatitis Day

Hepatitis is a liver inflammation disease caused by viral infections, toxins, or heavy alcohol consumption.

These viruses replicate (multiply) primarily in the liver cells, causing the liver to be unable to perform its functions, thereby leading to a series of health problems, including liver cancer and death.

Symptoms usually include fever, fatigue, body aches, dark urine, muscle pain, loss of appetite, light-colored stools, nausea, and vomiting.

‘World Hepatitis Day’ is celebrated on July 28 every year, and this year’s theme is called “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down.” 

Here are some important facts to know about hepatitis.

1. Hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer in the world.

2. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus: A, B, C, D, and E.

3. Hepatitis B and C combined are the most common causes of liver cancer, with 1.3 million lives lost each year.

4. 90% of people living with hepatitis do not know they are infected, as symptoms of the disease are hard to detect, and there may be no symptoms at all sometimes, particularly when it comes to hepatitis C.

5. Hepatitis A and E are mostly caused by the intake of contaminated food and water, while Hepatitis B occurs after coming in contact with infected blood, and Hepatitis C is caused by body fluids. Hepatitis D can only be contracted if the patient has already had hepatitis B.

6. Hepatitis B is treatable, and 95% of people with hepatitis C can be completely cured within 2-3 months using antiviral medicines.

7. Consuming alcohol definitely makes the scarring of the liver worse and progresses faster in both Hepatitis B and C.

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8. People who already have chronic hepatitis B are at risk of becoming infected with a second virus, hepatitis D, also called Delta hepatitis.

9. The most common cause of hepatitis B transmission globally is mother-to-infant, so pregnant women should be screened for the virus when they receive prenatal care.

10. People in their 30s are more likely to have undiagnosed hepatitis B compared to any other age group, while those aged between 45 and 60 are the highest risk group for being unaware they have hepatitis C.

11. There are vaccines available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, but no effective vaccine against hepatitis C has been developed until now.