World Hepatitis Day
Hepatitis is broadly an inflammatory condition of the liver, mostly caused by viral infection. Although viral infection is the major cause, there are other causes for hepatitis too which include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is the kind where your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.
Hepatitis is of 5 different kinds, namely Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Different viruses are the reason for causing each of these kinds of Hepatitis. While Hepatitis A is acute and short-termed , Hepatitis B, C, and D are chronic and can potentially become ongoing and severe. Hepatitis E is acute in most of the cases, but can prove to be very lethal in pregnant women.
28th July is widely recognized as World Hepatitis Day, which aims at spreading awareness regarding the widespread disease ‘Hepatitis’ and to suggest and inform about the micro and macro level precautions and treatment methods.
Hepatitis A : It is caused by an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is generally caused by consuming contaminated food or water, by the feces from a person infected with hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B : Hepatitis B is mainly sexually transmitted, but may also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth or by sharing razors or needles with an infected partner.
Hepatitis C : Just like Hepatitis B, hepatitis C is transmitted by sexual contact or needle and razor sharing.
Hepatitis D : Commonly known as Delta Hepatitis, hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Contracted through direct contact with infected blood, hepatitis is a chronic liver disease. Hepatitis D can only infect people already infected with Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E : Just like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E is transmitted through consuming contaminated food or water.
