It is said that one in 12 persons in the world are living with either chronic hepatitis B or C. The prevalence rate of hepatitis is relatively higher than HIV or any cancer
The liver plays an important role in keeping the body healthy. It usually processes the chemicals in the body as a waste product, but when damaged, it is unable to do its normal functions. When the chemicals accumulate in excess, it is visible as yellow tints on the skin, in urine and particularly around the whites of the eyes – the common symptoms of hepatitis in the liver.
It is said that one in 12 persons in the world are living with either chronic hepatitis B or C. The prevalence rate of hepatitis is relatively higher than HIV or any cancer.
World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 every year. Hepatitis means inflammation and swelling of the liver. Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute to chronic infection and inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Various factors such as drugs, alcohol, chemicals and other auto-immune diseases can cause inflammation of the liver and the most common cause of the chronic hepatitis is viral infection.According to Consultant in the Department of gastroenterology in Manipal Hospitals Y. Radhakrishna, the treatment for chronic hepatitis is variable, depending on the underlying cause and other factors related to an individual. The best way to prevent hepatitis infection is to take active vaccination since it is a vaccine preventable disease. Hepatitis B vaccines are considered to be 95 per cent effective.
Keywords: World Hepatitis Day, Hepatitis
