Overview:
World Hepatitis Day - which is an inflammation of the liver - can be a self-limiting condition, or it can develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer. The world celebrates it on July 28 annually, and this day was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus, and who developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.
Viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world. But other infections and toxic substances, such as alcohol, certain medications, and autoimmune diseases, can also be the cause.
Objectives:
- Awareness of viral hepatitis.
- Support for patients with viral hepatitis.
Facts:
- Viral hepatitis is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide and the only infectious disease with increasing mortality.
- There are 5 main hepatitis viruses referred to as (A, B, C, D, E).
- Hepatitis A, E is usually caused by eating or drinking contaminated water.
- Viral hepatitis (B, C, D) usually occurs as a result of the injection coming into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.
- An estimated 354 million people globally are still living with this life-threatening infection and at least one person dies from viral hepatitis every 30 seconds
- Viral hepatitis is preventable and treatable, and in the case of hepatitis C, it can be cured.
Official Date:
Globally: July 28th, 2023
Locally: Muharram 10th, 1445 H