World Hepatitis Day 2022: Know symptoms, treatment and tips to curb viral disease

World Hepatitis Day 2022: World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 every year. On this day, special programmes and events are organised to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver-related disease.

Hepatitis is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide, in fact, deaths from HIV and TB are decreasing and deaths from hepatitis are increasing. According to worldhepatitisday.org, a person dies every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness. Therefore, it is important to highlight the need to accelerate the fight against viral hepatitis.

In India there are an estimated 40 million chronic HBV infected people, constituting approximately 11 per cent of the estimated global burden.

Hepatitis symptoms

The general symptoms of hepatitis include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark colored urine etc. So, identifying who is at risk and screening is critical in reducing the risk of infection and transmission.

According to Dr Mubasheer Ali, senior consultant, general medicine, Apollo Telehealth, hepatitis is often caused by a virus. But heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications and certain medical conditions can also cause hepatitis.

“There are many causes for liver hepatitis and one of the major causes is viral infections. Everyone is susceptible to it from infants to senior citizens," Ali said.

Dr Sharad Malhotra, HOD, Gastroenterologist, Aakash Healthcare, people always have plethora of liver diseases but Covid-19 changed everything in liver disease management.

Hepatitis treatment

The standard protocol for managing such patients would be to plan a good diet, good protein intake, vitamins and minerals. Besides, graded physical exercise and adequate rest are also important.

The general consensus is that there is an urgent need for the global hepatitis community to unite with global health policymakers, health professionals and the general public to reach millions of people with life saving information about the disease to create awareness.

Hepatitis prevention 

Four major components for hepatitis awareness and prevention:

1. Identification of individuals at risk

2. Encourage hepatitis vaccination

3. Provide credible information resources

4. All the stakeholders should actively get involved in campaigns related to hepatitis awareness