Posted On: 2023-07-28 11:27:01
According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that 40 million people are diagnosed with hepatitis B and 6 to 12 million are infected with hepatitis C. In 2019, Hepatitis B led to 820,000 deaths.
So what is Hepatitis, and why should we worry about it?
The WHO defines hepatitis as “an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal. “ There are various types of hepatitis ranging from letters A to E.
A, B, and C are some of the most common types of hepatitis. Hepatitis A is usually short-term, While B and C can cause long-term or chronic infections. A person might have hepatitis B and C at the same time. The major difference between B and C is that Hepatitis B spreads from contact with bodily fluids, and C spreads from blood-to-blood contact.
Hepatitis D is also known as ‘delta-hepatitis’. But it only occurs if a person already has been affected by the Hepatitis B virus. It is transmitted through broken skin or contact with infected blood. Hepatitis E results in self-limited and acute illness.
To raise awareness about hepatitis, the World Health Organization has marked 28th July as World Hepatitis Day. The day coincides with the birth anniversary of Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus. He was awarded a Nobel Prize for his discovery in 1976.
Hepatitis can be spread through various means like food or drinking water with the virus, sexual contact, sharing of dirty needles, contact with the infected blood, needle stick injuries, transference from a pregnant person to a fetus, and contact with an infected person’s body fluids.
Some symptoms of the disease are dark urine, stomach pain, yellow skin or eye whites (jaundice), pale or clay-coloured stool, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, aching joints and feeling sick to the stomach.
It is usually advised to seek medical attention if you are experiencing any symptoms. Hepatitis B and D can be prevented by a vaccine. There is no cure for Hepatitis A, but you can stop the infection with a dose of the hepatitis A vaccine or hepatitis A immune globulin.
People with a high risk of contracting hepatitis are
Getting diagnosed with Hepatitis might seem scary, but there are ways to keep yourself safe. Vaccination is one of the ways to keep yourself safe, Other ways include practising protected sex, not sharing needles, not using an infected person’s personal items, taking precautions while getting tattoos or body piercings, following hygienic habits while traveling and drinking bottled water while traveling.
Filaantro recognizes the danger of Hepatitis. That is why we actively raise funds for people afflicted with the disease. If you are suffering from hepatitis or know someone suffering from hepatitis, you can start fundraising on our very own website.
Thank you for reading this article. Remember to share it with your friends and family members.
Author: Adil Sayyad
Ready to Start a Fundraiser ?