Hepatitis C awareness - World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day July 28

The Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling (inflammation) of the liver. The infection is often asymptomatic. But chronic & can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is generally apparent after several years. WHO (World Health Organisation) marks July 28 as the 'World Hepatitis Day" every year to increase awareness & understanding of viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis simply means swelling of the liver that persists more than 6 months. Notably, one of the most common causes of chronic hepatitis are viral infection, alcohol, drugs, chemicals, fatty liver & autoimmune disease but HBV (Hepatitis B virus) and HCV (Hepatitis C) virus infections account for about  75% of chronic Hepatitis worldwide.

According to World Hepatitis Alliance, Now, about 50 crore people are infected with either chronic Hepatitis B / C and one in three people have been exposed to one or both viruses.

Hepatitis C is caused by the virus HCV. It also spreads through contact from an infected person`s blood, semen, body fluid.

Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C causes swelling of the liver & can cause liver damage that can lead to cancer.


Geographical distribution & Transmission..!

Countries with high rates of chronic infection are Egypt (22 per cent), Pakistan (4.8 per cent) and China (3.2 per cent). The main mode of transmission in these countries is attributed to unsafe injections using contaminated equipment.

Hepatitis C virus is commonly transmitted through exposure to infectious blood.

This can occur through:

^  Receipt of contaminated blood transfusions, blood products & organ transplants

^ Injections given with contaminated syringes & needle stick injuries in health care settings

^ Injection drug use

^  Being born to a hepatitis C-infected mother.

Highlights - Hepatitis C..!

^ Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. The disease caused can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer.

^Hepatitis C virus is transmitted through contact with the blood of an infected person.

^ Nearly  1.50 crore are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus, and above 3.5 lakh people die every year from hepatitis C related liver diseases.

^ The  Hepatitis C is curable using antivirals. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C.


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