Viral Hepatitis: Leading Cause of Liver Cancer

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver brought on by a number of contagious viruses and noncontagious agents, which can result in a number of health issues, some of which can be fatal.

Every year on July 28, World Hepatitis Day (WHD)is observed and it serves to draw individuals and organizations all over the world together to increase consciousness regarding the detrimental effect of hepatitis on the world and to encourage substantive change. This year 2023’s theme is “We’re not waiting.”

Hepatitis present in 5 main different types which are refereed to as A, B, C, D and E. Due to the weight of illness and death they produce as well as the possibility of outbreaks and epidemic spread, these 5 categories are the most concerning. Particularly, types B and C are the most prevalent causes of liver cirrhosis and cancer and, collectively, affect hundreds of millions of individuals and causes chronic disease.

The most common way that people contract hepatitis A and E is via consuming infected food or drink. Parenteral contact with bodily fluids that are infected usually results in the development of hepatitis B, C, and D. Receiving infected blood or blood products, invasive medical operations utilizing contaminated equipment, and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, as well as through sexual contact, are common routes of transmission for these viruses.

Acute infections can present with few or no symptoms, or they can present with signs including jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, acute exhaustion, nausea, and vomiting, as well as stomach discomfort.

An urgent attention is needed to curb the spread of Viral Hepatitis as statistics shows Updated figures as at July 27, 2022 that Hepatitis B affects approximately 296 million people, including over 6 million children under the age of 5. Also, Hepatitis B contributes to an estimated 820,000 deaths every year, and 25% of chronic hepatitis B infections progress to liver cancer. Hepatitis B Causes Serious, Lifelong Health Problems and it is the leading cause of liver cancer globally.