According to WHO in the world, about 2 billion people are affected by the hepatitis virus. There are countries where more than half of the people have had hepatitis A. And a lot of people are carriers of hepatitis A and C, even without realizing it.
Hepatitis is a dangerous inflammation of the liver tissue. This disease is caused by five types of viruses, which are identified as A, B, C, D, E. People can get infected from both the infected person and become infected from contaminated foods or water.
Acute hepatitis occurs with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the eyes and skin, rapid fatigue. However, the insidiousness of the hepatitis virus lies in the fact that often the disease is completely asymptomatic. And a sick person can learn in the affliction of his illness only after hepatitis has taken on a chronic form. Sometimes this happens even after a decade. And all this time the patient involuntarily infects other people. Hepatitis in the chronic stage can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer .
History of the World Day Against Viral Hepatitis
In May 2008, the International Alliance Against Viral Hepatitis for the first time held events that were aimed at drawing the attention of all mankind to the problems of this disease. And in 2011, WHO established the World Hepatitis Day and set the date for its celebration on July 28 in honor of the famous scientist Blumberg, who first discovered the hepatitis virus.
World Hepatitis Day has its own symbol in the form of three wise monkeys whose motto is "I do not see anything, I do not hear anything, I will not tell anyone", that is, complete ignoring of problems. That is why the purpose of establishing World Hepatitis Day is to inform people about the need to prevent this terrible disease.
On July 28, physicians in many countries annually carry out educational campaigns telling people about this disease, its signs and consequences. After all, it is very important for every person to try to avoid infection with viral hepatitis. Observing personal hygiene, a person will protect himself from hepatitis A and E. Observance of caution during sexual intercourse and with blood transfusion will help to protect against viruses C and B.
In addition, as part of the celebration of the Day to Combat Hepatitis, mass diagnostics and vaccination of the population of many countries are carried out. The vaccine will reliably protect a person from hepatitis A and B.