Over 350 million individuals worldwide are affected by viral hepatitis. Acute hepatitis-related illnesses and persistent infections that lead to liver cancer and cirrhosis claim the lives of over a million individuals every year.
116 million individuals living with hepatitis B and 10 million with hepatitis C are projected to be the most frequent causes of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related fatalities in the U.K.
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to liver inflammation. Swelling caused by inflammation occurs when bodily tissues are harmed or infected. It could harm your liver. The degree of liver injury and edema may have an impact on its performance.
Acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) are two different types of infections. Some of these types only result in acute infections. Different kinds can result in both acute and recurring infections.
Numerous factors, including heavy alcohol consumption, high levels of toxicity, autoimmune diseases, and others, might contribute to its occurrence. The hazards vary depending on the kind of hepatitis.
Some of the sufferers of this disease do not exhibit any symptoms and are unaware of their infection. The many chronic forms of this condition can be treated with various medications.
Prevalence Rate of Hepatitis
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 296 million individuals worldwide have hepatitis B in 2019. Around the world, 58 million people have chronic hepatitis C, 1.5 million people have chronic hepatitis B, and 1.5 million people have chronic hepatitis C.
Hepatitis B and C can both result in lifelong infection. According to WHO estimates, these infections and their consequences, including liver cancer, cirrhosis, and other illnesses brought on by chronic viral hepatitis, resulted in 1.1 million deaths in 2019.
Acute hepatitis C incidence rates have grown by 124% since 2013, and by 15% from 2019 to 2020. WHO predicted that 12 to 25 percent of those with chronic hepatitis B infections will need treatment in 2021.
In the year 2022, healthcare professionals diagnosed more than 1,000 children worldwide with this condition, with at least 350 cases reported in the United States.
Who are at Higher Risk?
There is a certain section of people who are at higher risk of attaining the disease. It is as follows:
- Sharing needles to take medicine
- Having multiple sex partners
- Lessen the alcohol intake
- Having poor nutrition
- Work in a hospital or nursing home
- Receiving long-term kidney dialysis
- Travel to areas with poor sanitation
The Theme for this Year
Under the theme, “One Life, One Liver,” this year’s World Hepatitis Day will emphasize the importance of the liver for a healthy life, and the increasing need to accelerate viral hepatitis prevention.
Also, testing and treatment to optimize liver health, prevent liver disease and achieve the 2030 hepatitis elimination goals.
Since this disease can remain asymptomatic until it advances and causes major problems, people have referred to it as a “silent killer” that impacts patients’ quality of life.
As a result, frequent screening and the use of preventative measures help both prevent and treat liver illnesses.
What are the Prevention Tips?
This condition can be prevented in several ways. Although vaccination is a big rescue for reducing the chances of this disease occurrence, there are several other ways as well that help in minimizing the prevention.
- Get vaccines for hepatitis (A and B)
- Do not share needles to take medication
- Maintaining personal hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water
- Do not use the personal belongings of an infected person
- Be aware while getting tattoos or body piercings
- When traveling to areas of the world with poor sanitation, ensure you get vaccinated.
- Drink bottled water during your travel
- Wear disposable gloves when handling blood. Wash your hands after removing the gloves
- Avoid sharing sharp items such as razors, nail clippers, and earrings or body rings
- Discard sanitary napkins and tampons into plastic bags
Key Takeaway
This day’s importance comes from bringing attention to the enormous impact that hepatitis has on the world. Millions of individuals are impacted, and many of them don’t know if they are infected or not.
If this condition is not treated, it can cause serious liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. As a result, the day highlights the need for screening programs for early detection and emphasizes the importance of expanding everyone’s access to reasonably priced, high-quality healthcare.
On this significant Day, international partnerships, governments, and organizations band together to promote additional funding, research, and policy changes with the aim to address this crucial public health issue.
Communities gain awareness about prevention, risk factors, and the value of testing through educational initiatives. The disorder must also be de-stigmatized to encourage more people to seek support and assistance.
In conclusion, we emphasize the crucial role of this Day in promoting awareness, disseminating information, and taking action against viral hepatitis. The ultimate goal is to actively reduce the prevalence of the disease and actively enhance the lives of individuals who are affected.