This week people around the globe are marking World Hepatitis Day. It was created by the World Health Organization to expand awareness about hepatitis prevention and treatment. Worldwide, viral hepatitis affects 400 million people. But 95% of people with hepatitis don’t know they have it. There are often no symptoms and hepatitis testing can be both complex and costly in some countries. There are also three forms of the disease: hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
People in at-risk groups are urged to inform themselves about hepatitis, get tested, and if necessary seek the appropriate treatment. Hepatitis A is preventable by vaccine, while treatment of hepatitis B and C can prevent the development of life-threatening complications of chronic liver disease. In fact, more than 90% of people with hepatitis C can be cured of the virus within 3 to 6 months.
Read more about hepatitis A, B and C to find out more about prevention and treatment.