Every year on July 28, World Hepatitis Day is observed to raise global awareness of hepatitis — a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and encourage prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for hepatitis. July 28 was selected as the date for World Hepatitis Day due to its significance as the birthday of Nobel-prize-winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.
Viral hepatitis is one of the major public health concerns around the world. Every year 1.4 million people die from viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is noteworthy that HBV and HCV account for about 90% of these fatalities.[1] Viral hepatitis is a condition characterized by liver inflammation caused by infection from five viruses: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV).[2]
In general, the diagnosis of viral hepatitis and other acute causes of hepatitis can be established through the evaluation of blood test results and clinical imaging.
References
[1] Update on global epidemiology of viral hepatitis and preventive strategies
[2] World Health Organization. Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis Infection: Frame Work for Global Action. 2012.
[3] Global progress report on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/97892400270 77external icon
[4] Dienstag, JL (2015). "Chapter 360: Acute Viral Hepatitis". In Kasper, D; Fauci, A; Hauser, S; Longo, D; Jameson, J; Loscalzo, J (eds.). Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-180215-4.
[5] Friedman, Lawrence S. (2015). "Chapter 16: Liver, Biliary Tract, & Pancreas Disorders". In Papadakis, M; McPhee, SJ; Rabow, MW (eds.). Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2016 55e. McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-0071845090.
[6] Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A shot at hepatitis prevention". J Am Osteopath Assoc.
[7] "WHO|Hepatitis". www.who.int. Archived from the original on 2016-03-08.
[8] "Hepatitis C guidance: AASLD-IDSA recommendations for testing, managing, and treating adults infected with hepatitis C virus". Hepatology
[9] Abbas, Zaigham; Khan, Muhammad Arsalan; Salih, Mohammad; Jafri, Wasim (2011-12-07). "Interferon alpha for chronic hepatitis D". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011 (12): CD006002
[10] HEV FAQs for Health Professionals | Division of Viral Hepatitis | CDC
