World Hepatitis Day to Raise Awareness on Hepatitis Virus
Jakarta - World Hepatitis Day is commemorated every year on July 28th. This moment aims to raise awareness among the public about the hepatitis virus, which causes liver inflammation and can lead to severe diseases and liver cancer.
There are five main types of hepatitis viruses, known as types A, B, C, D, and E. Although all of them cause liver disease, these five types of viruses differ in several important aspects, including transmission methods, disease severity, geographic distribution, and prevention methods.
Specifically, types B and C cause chronic diseases in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common causes of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and hepatitis-related deaths. It is estimated that 354 million people worldwide are living with hepatitis B or C, and for most of them, testing and treatment are still inaccessible.
Some types of hepatitis can be prevented through vaccination. A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that around 4.5 million premature deaths can be prevented in low- and middle-income countries by 2030 through vaccination, diagnostic testing, medications, and educational campaigns.
The WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, supported by all WHO member states, aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90 percent and deaths by 65 percent between 2016 and 2030.
Regarding symptoms, many people with hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E only show mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, each type of virus can cause more severe symptoms.
Symptoms of hepatitis A, B, and C can include fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
In some cases, these viruses can also cause chronic liver infections that can develop into cirrhosis (scarring of the liver tissue) or liver cancer. These patients are at risk of death.
Meanwhile, hepatitis D (HDV) is only found in people who are already infected with hepatitis B (HBV). However, co-infection of HBV and HDV can cause more serious infections and worse health outcomes, including faster progression to cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis D development is rare.
What about the symptoms of hepatitis E (HEV)? It starts with mild fever, decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting that lasts for several days. Some people may also experience abdominal pain, itching (without skin lesions), skin rash, or joint pain.
They may also show jaundice, with dark urine and pale stools, as well as a slightly enlarged and soft liver (hepatomegaly), or sometimes acute liver failure.
World Hepatitis Day 2023 Theme: ‘One Life, One Liver’
This year, World Hepatitis Day 2023 carries the theme ‘One Life, One Liver’. This theme encourages people to be more vigilant and raise awareness about hepatitis because this disease can destroy one life and one liver that humans have.
Considering that the liver silently performs more than 500 vital functions every day to keep us alive. However, hepatitis virus infections also remain ‘silent’, with symptoms only appearing after the disease has progressed.
Although there are many types of hepatitis viruses (A to E), hepatitis B and C are the most concerning and cause nearly 8,000 new infections every day, most of which go undetected.
The result? Over one million hepatitis-related deaths each year, and one new chronic infection every ten seconds. And that’s why liver health is crucial for human health.
History of World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day, which falls on July 28th, is an opportunity to enhance national and international efforts on hepatitis, promote action, and engage individuals, partners, and communities. It also highlights the need for a greater global response as outlined in the WHO’s Global Hepatitis Report 2017.
July 28th was chosen because it coincides with the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blumberg. He discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed diagnostic tests and vaccines for the virus.
Low testing and treatment coverage are the most significant gaps that need to be addressed to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030.
In addition to raising awareness and promoting the dangers of hepatitis viruses, people can also use various cute twibbons that have been collected by detikcom from various sources.
Watch the Video “RSCM Doctor Reveals Mysterious Hepatitis Symptoms in Children”World Hepatitis Day is celebrated every year on July 28th. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness among the public about the hepatitis virus, which causes liver inflammation and can lead to severe disease and liver cancer.
There are five main types of hepatitis viruses, known as types A, B, C, D, and E. Although all of them cause liver disease, these five types of viruses differ in important ways, including transmission methods, disease severity, geographic distribution, and prevention methods.
Specifically, types B and C cause chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and hepatitis-related deaths. It is estimated that 354 million people worldwide are living with hepatitis B or C, and for most of them, testing and treatment are still inaccessible.
Some types of hepatitis can be prevented through vaccination. A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that around 4.5 million premature deaths could be prevented in low- and middle-income countries by 2030 through vaccination, diagnostic testing, medications, and educational campaigns.
The WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, supported by all WHO member states, aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90 percent and deaths by 65 percent between 2016 and 2030.
In terms of symptoms, many people with hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E only show mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, each form of the virus can cause more severe symptoms.
Symptoms of hepatitis A, B, and C can include fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
In some cases, these viruses can also cause chronic liver infection, which can then develop into cirrhosis (scarring of the liver tissue) or liver cancer. These patients are at risk of death.
Meanwhile, hepatitis D (HDV) is only found in people who are already infected with hepatitis B (HBV). However, co-infection with HBV and HDV can cause more serious infection and worse health outcomes, including faster progression to cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis D development is rare.
What about the symptoms of hepatitis E (HEV)? It starts with mild fever, decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting that lasts for several days. Some people may also experience abdominal pain, itching (without skin lesions), skin rash, or joint pain.
They may also show jaundice, with dark urine and pale stools, as well as a slightly enlarged and soft liver (hepatomegaly), or sometimes acute liver failure.
The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2023 is ’One Life, One Liver’. This theme encourages people to be more vigilant and raise awareness about hepatitis because this disease can destroy one life and one liver that humans have.
Considering that the liver silently performs more than 500 vital functions every day to keep us alive. However, hepatitis virus infections also do not ‘speak up’, with symptoms only appearing after the disease has progressed.
Although there are many types of hepatitis viruses (A to E), hepatitis B and C are the most concerning and cause nearly 8,000 new infections every day, most of which go undetected.
The result? Over one million hepatitis-related deaths each year, and one new chronic infection every ten seconds. And that’s why liver health is crucial for human health.
World Hepatitis Day, which falls on July 28th, is an opportunity to enhance national and international efforts on hepatitis, promote action, and engage individuals, partners, and communities. It also highlights the need for a greater global response as outlined in the WHO’s Global Hepatitis Report 2017.
July 28th was chosen because it coincides with the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blumberg. He discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed diagnostic tests and vaccines for the virus.
Low testing and treatment coverage are the most significant gaps that need to be addressed to achieve the global elimination goal by 2030.
In addition to being aware of and promoting the dangers of hepatitis viruses, you can also use various cute twibbons that detikcom has found from various sources.
How can individuals show support and raise awareness about hepatitis viruses using awareness twibbons
In, itching (without skin lesions), skin rash, or joint pain. They may also exhibit jaundice, along with dark urine and pale stools, as well as a slightly enlarged and soft liver (hepatomegaly), or in some cases, acute liver failure.
The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2023 is ‘One Life, One Liver’. This theme emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and raising awareness about hepatitis, as it has the potential to destroy a person’s life and their liver. The liver performs over 500 vital functions each day to keep us alive, but hepatitis virus infections often remain silent until the disease has progressed.
Hepatitis B and C are the most concerning types of hepatitis viruses, causing nearly 8,000 new infections every day, most of which go undetected. This leads to over one million hepatitis-related deaths each year and one new chronic infection every ten seconds. Therefore, prioritizing liver health is crucial for overall human health.
World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28th every year and serves as an opportunity to enhance national and international efforts towards combating hepatitis. It aims to promote action and engage individuals, partners, and communities in raising awareness about the disease. The choice of this date is significant as it coincides with the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed diagnostic tests and vaccines for it.
To achieve the global elimination goals by 2030, low testing and treatment coverage need to be addressed. Alongside raising awareness about the dangers of hepatitis viruses, people can also show support by using various awareness twibbons.
This article sheds light on the global importance of World Hepatitis Day 2023, emphasizing the crucial message of preserving and valuing every single liver. Let us unite in raising awareness, promoting prevention, and supporting those affected by hepatitis, aiming for a healthier future for all.
It’s inspiring to see the focus on global liver health with Hari Hepatitis Sedunia 2023. Let’s remember the importance of raising awareness about hepatitis and working towards a healthier future for everyone. One life, one liver!