Health in Focus: World Hepatitis Day Awareness

Did you know your liver is the second-largest organ in the human body after the skin? The liver is an important organ in your body, performing over 500 functions.


World Hepatitis Day, celebrated on July 28, raises global awareness about viral hepatitis by educating people about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment and advocating for better access for people affected by the disease.

You only have one life, so take care of your health. Hepatitis can be fatal, with symptoms appearing after the disease has progressed. Hepatitis, or liver inflammation, can be caused by various reasons, including viral infections.

There are five various types of hepatitis infections: A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis B and C are the most prevalent; however, hepatitis C can be more severe and deadly.

Chronic hepatitis B and C are responsible for the vast majority of liver cancer cases worldwide.

Here are some ways you can observe World Hepatitis Day and make a positive impact:

Spread awareness
On World Hepatitis Day, we must raise awareness of viral hepatitis among people unfamiliar with the disease, such as your friends, family, and community.

We may use social media to share informative messages and educational materials to help avoid viral hepatitis.


Get Tested
Are you overthinking the possibility of having viral hepatitis? Remember, there is no harm in seeking an early diagnosis if you believe you are at risk of hepatitis infection.

Early diagnosis can improve health outcomes, so consult your doctor or the local health services.

Encourage healthy practices and lifestyle
One strategy to avoid hepatitis is to promote healthy practices and lifestyles, such as encouraging safe copulation, because hepatitis B is the most likely to be transmitted through intercourse.

Remember that everything you consume in your body goes through your liver. If you smoke, it's time to quit, and heavy alcohol consumption is equally harmful.

Support People
Your support can empower a friend or family member with a hepatitis diagnosis. You can be the source of understanding and spreading compassion to help people with hepatitis feel safe and reduce the stigma around the disease.

Let us unite on World Hepatitis Day to combat viral hepatitis. By utilizing our voices to raise awareness, each of us can contribute to eliminating hepatitis as a threat to public health.

Together, we can create a world free from viral hepatitis. Join us on social media as we step closer to a healthier future.

To join the conversation, use the hashtag #WorldHepatitisDay.

- Llorele Masong