July 28th is World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis day takes place every year on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, a group of diseases that affect people allover the world. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. Inflammation in the liver causes swelling, which can cause damage and keep it from functioning properly. The liver performs several important functions necessary for life, including processing nutrients, filtering blood and fighting infections.

There are five types of viruses that cause hepatitis---types A, B, C, D, and E. In the US, types A, B and C are the most common ones. Hepatitis A and E are usually spread through contact with food or water that was contaminated with an infected person's feces. Hepatitis E can also be caused by eating infected and under cooked pork, deer, or shellfish. Most cases of hepatitis A and E are usually resolved on their own within several months. Hepatitis B, C, and D are transmitted through contact with the infected blood of someone who has the disease. Hepatitis B and D can also be spread through contact with other infected body fluids, such as while sharing drug needles or having unprotected sex. Hepatitis D only occurs only in people already who already infected with hepatitis B. These three types can cause both short (acute) or long-term (chronic) disease.

Symptoms of hepatitis can include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice. To prevent viral hepatitis, vaccinations are available for hepatitis A and B. There are no vaccines against hepatitis types C, D and E. Currently, there is no cure for hepatitis. Treatment focuses on preventing further damage to the liver, reversing existing damage if possible and symptom relief. For further information, please see:

PCHC Health Promotion Activity Plan (HPAP) for Hepatitis ABCDE  

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/abc/index.htm