World Hepatitis Day - What to know about hepatitis virus #KnowHepatitis

Around the world 400 million people are infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C. A huge 95% of people infected with hepatitis B or C around the world do not know they are infected. 

Hepatitis is fully preventable and treatable: there are effective vaccines and treatments for hepatitis B, and over 90% of people with hepatitis C can be cured with treatment.

Below is a guide by the World Health Organisation on what to know about the disease:

Know hepatitis - Are you at risk?

Anyone could be at risk of hepatitis due to the size of the global epidemic (at least 10 times the HIV epidemic).

Hepatitis B and C infections are transmitted through contaminated blood as well as through contaminated needles and syringes in healthcare setting and among people who inject drugs. The viruses can also be transmitted through unsafe sex and from an infected mother to her newborn child.

With better information and knowledge about hepatitis risks, people can prevent themselves from getting infected and passing the infection on to others. To do this, people should seek testing and learn if they need treatment.

Know hepatitis - Get tested

Increasing access to hepatitis testing is key to scaling up hepatitis treatment and care.

An estimated 95% of people with hepatitis are unaware of their infection, in part due to a lack of awareness and lack of access to testing services in countries.

WHO will release its first hepatitis testing guidelines in 2016. The guidelines will provide guidance on who should be tested, and will recommend simple testing strategies to help country efforts to scale up hepatitis testing, treatment and care.

Know hepatitis - Demand treatment

Globally, most people who need treatment have not been treated, largely due to a lack of awareness, and access to hepatitis treatment services.

Over 90% of people with hepatitis C can be completely cured of the virus within 3–6 months.

Appropriate treatment of hepatitis B and C can prevent the development of the major life-threatening complications of chronic liver disease: cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Source: WHO