World Hepatitis Day: Know All About The Disease

World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28th every year to raise awareness about hepatitis disease among people. It is organized on the occasion of the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg who found the Hepatitis B virus in the year 1967 and also developed a vaccine for it. Moreover, this day educates everyone about hepatitis infections, the efforts to fight viral hepatitis, and methods people can use for its prevention.

What is Viral Hepatitis?

Viral Hepatitis or Hepatitis disease is a condition of inflammation in the liver that leads to severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. With deaths happening every 30 secs from a hepatitis-related infection, it is important to treat viral hepatitis at the earliest. Hepatitis is of different types depending on the infection. 

Types

Viral hepatitis impacts millions worldwide, resulting in both acute and chronic diseases. There are five major classifications of Viral Hepatitis-

• Hepatitis A- It is a liver infection that can be prevented by a vaccine. It is a result of the infection as a result of the hepatitis A virus.

• Hepatitis B- It is an infection that happens due to the hepatitis B virus. It is spread through the blood or other bodily fluids of a person.

• Hepatitis C- It is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. It transmits through the blood of a person who is infected.

• Hepatitis D- Delta hepatitis is another name for this virus and the hepatitis D virus is responsible for this. It happens to only those who are already hepatitis B infected. 

• Hepatitis E- It is a liver infection resulting from a hepatitis E infection. It is usually found in a person’s stool.

Symptoms

Hepatitis is a condition where you don’t show symptoms till it is chronic and starts affecting your liver health. However, people in the initial stages of hepatitis infection might start reflecting symptoms. Some common symptoms of Viral Hepatitis are:

• Flu-like signs

• Darker urine color

• Fatigue

• Abdominal cramps and pain

• Appetite loss

• Weight loss

• Yellow skin

• Pale eyes

People at Risk

The risk of catching a hepatitis infection is high in individuals working around these environments-

• Direct contact with hepatitis A infected person

• Male in sexual relation with another male

• Drugs abuser

• Ones with clotting factor disorder

• Who work with primates