According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 325 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C. Every year, more than one million people die because of viral hepatitis which is more than the death of tuberculosis and HIV combined. The major reason behind this is because of lack of knowledge about the types of Hepatitis, symptoms, reasons, diagnosis and treatment options
Hence to raise the awareness on a global level, 28th July is observed as ‘World Hepatitis Day’. Let’s learn more about the threat of this disease, how it is growing globally and what actions individuals should take.
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a group of infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Today, millions of people are getting affected worldwide. In this disease, people suffer from both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) liver disease. Sometimes the side effects of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol can also cause hepatitis.
Symptoms of hepatitis
The infectious forms of hepatitis are chronic, such as hepatitis B and C, in which you may not have symptoms in the beginning. But the symptoms may occur when the damage affects liver function.The signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis occur quickly. They are:
- flu-like symptoms
- fatigue
- pale stool
- dark urine
- abdominal pain
- loss of appetite
- unexplained weight loss
- yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice
As chronic hepatitis develops slowly, one cannot know the signs and symptoms.
How hepatitis is diagnosed?
To diagnose hepatitis, first, the doctor will ask about your history. He may ask for liver function test, blood test, ultrasound, liver biopsy etc. The treatment options are different for different forms of hepatitis diseases.
It is always better to take preventive measures. On this World Hepatitis Day, we encourage you to understand the risk, get preventive tests done & spread the awareness.
Contact us – www.justforhearts.org
Email us – support@justforhearts.org
Call us : 020 27293337
