On the eve of World Hepatitis Day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stressed the need to raise awareness about hepatitis and the increasing number of fatalities from hepatitis. ′Bringing hepatitis care closer to you’ is the focus for this year.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hepatitis is a liver infection. Hepatitis viruses come in five different subtypes: A, B, C, D, and E. According to the WHO, hepatitis B and C together constitute the most common cause of viral hepatitis-related mortality, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, director of GI surgery at Jai Prabha Medanta, stated that hepatitis accounts for roughly 15 lakh fatalities annually worldwide. The illness may have been avoided, but if left untreated, it could worsen and eventually cause cancer. Various distinguished speakers expressed concern about the rising hepatitis cases and presented their opinions on hepatitis management and getting medical care as soon as possible.

According to the WHO′s advice, people should only use sterile injections, own their razors and razor blades, engage in safe sexual behavior, use safe tattooing and body piercing tools, and vaccinate their infants against hepatitis B. (Times of India, Jul 28, 2022)