Get tested, 1.4 million die every year from viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. There are five different hepatitis viruses namely hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.

Unfortunately 1.4 million die every year from viral hepatitis. Hence awareness is one of the key points we must try use to eliminate the virus because if is left not treated this virus can lead to one having liver cancer or liver failure. And with an annual event being created, this will bring attention to chronic viral hepatitis worldwide.

Hepatitis B and C are the two forms of life-threatening liver diseases with approximately 500 million people being infected with viral hepatitis B or C.

What makes Hepatitis B critical is that you can have hepatitis B and not know it. You may not have symptoms. But if you do, they can make you feel like you have flu. To find out if you could be in contact with the virus visit your nearest doctor for a blood test which will tell if you have hepatitis B virus now or if you had it in the past. If your doctor thinks you may have liver damage from hepatitis B, he or she may use a needle to take a tiny sample of your liver for testing, which is called a liver biopsy.

This virus can be spread to others through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person. However you cannot get hepatitis B from casual contact such as hugging, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or sharing food or drinks.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B depends on whether your infection is getting worse and whether you have liver damage. Most people with chronic hepatitis B can live active, full lives by taking good care of themselves and getting regular checkups. There are medicines for chronic hepatitis B, but they may not be right for everyone. The vaccine is a series of three or four shots.

At times hepatitis B goes away on its own. You can relieve your symptoms at home by resting, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Also, find out from your doctor what medicines and herbal products to avoid, because some can make liver damage to be worse.
Hepatits C has similar symptoms and treatment methods as hepatitis B.  Unlike HIV, hepatitis C can survive on surfaces between 16 hours to 4 days so the virus can be transmitted on drug use equipment including spoons, pipes, and even bank notes.

Each year the organisation has a theme and this year’s theme is #PreventHepatitis.

Do the right thing by getting tested and know your status. Test your knowledge by taking the World Hepatitis Day prevention quiz!

Information supplied by World Health Organization’s and World hepatitis website.