Every year on July 28th, the world comes together to observe World Hepatitis Day, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about viral hepatitis and its serious impact on global health. With the 2025 theme “We’re Not Waiting,” this day highlights the urgent need for testing, treatment, and education—calling on individuals, health systems, and governments to act now in the fight against hepatitis.
What Is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection. There are five main types of viral hepatitis—A, B, C, D, and E—each spread in different ways and affecting people differently.
- Hepatitis A and E: Typically transmitted through contaminated food or water.
- Hepatitis B, C, and D: Spread through blood and other bodily fluids often via unsafe medical practices, shared needles, or unprotected sex.
Among these, hepatitis B and C are the most dangerous, as they can become chronic and lead to serious conditions like liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Why It Matters
An estimated 350 million people globally live with chronic hepatitis B or C and many don’t even know they’re infected. Because it often progresses silently, hepatitis is a major contributor to liver failure and liver cancer, claiming over 1 million lives each year.
Common Symptom
Many people with hepatitis show no symptoms until liver damage is advanced. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side
- Dark urine or pale stools
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain
- Fever (in some types, especially Hepatitis A and E)
Risk Factors
You may be at a higher risk of hepatitis infection if you:
- Share needles or injection equipment
- Received blood transfusions or organ transplants before the 1990s
- Are a healthcare worker exposed to blood
- Engage in unprotected sex or have multiple partners
- Were born to a mother with hepatitis B or C
- Consume contaminated food or water (Hepatitis A and E)
- Live in or travel to regions where hepatitis is more common
Understanding your risk is the first step toward prevention and early treatment.
Prevention and Action
The good news? Hepatitis is largely preventable and treatable:
- Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B
- Safe food and water practices prevent hepatitis A and E
- Antiviral medications can manage hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C
- Regular testing helps detect infections early
- Safe injection practices and protected sex reduce risk of transmission
Testing is quick and easy, and early detection can save lives.
What You Can Do
- Get tested, especially if you fall into a high-risk group
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B
- Talk to your doctor about screening and treatment
- Educate others about hepatitis and reduce stigma
- Support initiatives working toward hepatitis elimination
This Year’s Message: “We’re Not Waiting”
The theme for 2025 calls for urgent action. Around the world, too many people are still waiting for diagnosis, treatment, and support and many don’t even know they’re living with the virus. But the tools to eliminate hepatitis already exist. What’s needed now is awareness, access, and action.
On this World Hepatitis Day, let’s break the silence and take a stand. Whether it’s getting tested, spreading the word, or supporting community efforts, every action counts.
Hepatitis is preventable. Hepatitis is treatable.
The early the better, would like to be tested and see where I stand.