World Hepatitis Day 2024 and Its Global Impact

World Hepatitis Day, commemorated on July 28, increases awareness of viral hepatitis, a liver infection that can lead to severe liver disease or cancer. This year’s theme is “It’s Time for Action.” World Hepatitis Day, observed on 28 July, raises awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and cancer. 

With millions of people across the globe dying from hepatitis-related illnesses, timely action on better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives and improve health conditions.

  
What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the liver. Hepatitis is most usually caused by a viral infection, although there are other reasons as well. These include autoimmune hepatitis and secondary hepatitis caused by medications, narcotics, poisons, or alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disorder in which the body produces antibodies against liver tissue.

Hepatitis is classified into five primary viral types: A, B, C, D, and E. Each kind of viral hepatitis is caused by a distinct virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 354 million individuals worldwide have chronic hepatitis B and C.

World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis. This year’s theme is “it’s time for action.” The day focuses on a specific theme to increase knowledge about the current situation of hepatitis and bring about positive changes.  

History of World Hepatitis Day 2024.

World Hepatitis Day was relocated from May 19, 2019, to July 28, 2010. The World Hepatitis Alliance was created in 2007, and in 2008, the first community-organized World Hepatitis Day was marked. This occurred after the World Health Assembly voted to mark the birthday of Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered Hepatitis B in the 1960s.

World Hepatitis Day, July 28, is a chance to boost up national and international efforts on hepatitis, encourage activities and engagement by individuals, partners, and the public, and emphasize the need for a bigger global response, as indicated in the WHO’s Global hepatitis report.

The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.

Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to be addressed to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030.

Types of Hepatitis:

Autoimmune Hepatitis:

Cause: The immune system attacks the liver.

Symptoms: Fatigue, belly discomfort, jaundice, enlarged liver, skin issues, joint pain, menstrual irregularities.

Hepatitis A:

Cause: A viral infection of the liver.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, fever, jaundice, joint pain, and itchy skin.

Hepatitis B:

The cause is hepatitis B virus infection.
Symptoms include jaundice, dark urine, exhaustion, nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort.

Hepatitis C:

Cause: Infection with the hepatitis C virus, which is typically transmitted by tainted blood.
Symptoms include fatigue, fever, itching, jaundice, stomach pain, and edema.

Hepatitis D

Infection with the hepatitis D virus can arise in persons who have previously been infected with hepatitis B.

Symptoms include jaundice, gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), fatigue, and loss of appetite.

Hepatitis E:

Cause: Infection with the hepatitis E virus, which is commonly transmitted by contaminated water.

Symptoms include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice.

Neonatal hepatitis: 

Cause: A group of illnesses with unclear etiology that are related with neonatal cholestasis.
Symptoms include enlarged liver or spleen, jaundice, and poor development.

Each kind of hepatitis has different causes, modes of transmission, and symptoms.

World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity for all of us to consider how we can protect ourselves and others from hepatitis. It’s a disease that affects people all across the world, but if we work together to study, get tested, and avoid it, we can ensure that hepatitis does not cause major health issues by 2030.

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