July 28, 2011 will be the first World Hepatitis Day set by the World Health Organization, whose theme is “Understanding Hepatitis, Scientific Prevention and Treatment”. Chi Xiaoling, liver disease specialist, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
WHO’s first official World Hepatitis Day is to raise awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases it causes.
This day is an opportunity to focus on some specific actions such as
Increasing prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases
Increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and its inclusion within national immunization programs.
Coordinating a global response to hepatitis.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and the most common cause is viral infection. There are five major hepatitis viruses, known as types A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses can all cause acute infections that inflame the liver. Hepatitis B, C, and E viruses can cause chronic infection leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These five types are of greatest concern because of the disease burden and mortality they cause, as well as the potential for outbreaks and outbreak transmission. These viruses pose a significant global health risk, with 350 million people living with chronic hepatitis B and 170 million people living with chronic hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A and E are usually caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of exposure to infected body fluids through non-intestinal routes. The most common modes of transmission of these viruses are: receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures with contaminated equipment, and in the case of hepatitis B, mother-to-child transmission at birth, transmission from family members to children, and also through sexual contact.
Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms or include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), darkening of the urine, extreme malaise, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. (Source: World Health Organization)