World Hepatitis Day – What is Hepatitis, Why It is celebrated?
Hepatitis is a widely prevalent condition that affects millions of lives across the globe every year. Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver and if left untreated, it can lead to serious life-threatening conditions such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. There are 5 main types of hepatitis virus, i.e. type A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis is a rising concern because of the burden of illness and death caused by it. Therefore, with an aim to raise global awareness about hepatitis, World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on the 28th of July.
Why 28th of July?
- World Hepatitis Day is observed on 28th of July as it marks the birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate scientist Dr. Baruch Samuel Blumberg.
- Baruch Blumberg discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and also developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.
The main ideas behind celebrating World Hepatitis Day are stated below:
- Raising global awareness of the different forms of hepatitis and how they are transmitted
- Strengthening prevention, screening, and control of viral hepatitis and related diseases.
- Expanding hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into immunization programs.
- Coordinating a global response to hepatitis.
World Hepatitis Day is celebrated in more than 100 countries and has a specific theme every year. The theme of World Hepatitis Day, 2019 is “Invest in eliminating hepatitis”.
The host country for World Hepatitis Day 2019 is Pakistan and the global events will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan on 27th and 28th of July 2019.
The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to address the following objectives for World Hepatitis Day 2019:
- To urge national as well as regional policymakers to increase political and financial commitments for hepatitis response.
- To encourage people to come forward to access hepatitis diagnosis, prevention, and treatment services.
- To highlight WHO’s new cost estimates for the elimination of hepatitis within the context of health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Following a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of hepatitis significantly. Practicing good hygiene, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding contaminated food and water are some of the preventive measures that you can take to safeguard yourself from hepatitis.
Since hepatitis can lead to life-threatening conditions, it is essential to get it diagnosed in the initial stage. Some of the common Macular Degeneration of hepatitis are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain, yellowing of the skin and intense itching. If you happen to notice any of these signs and symptoms for a prolonged period, it is advisable to seek the help of a medical professional.
Now that you know what is hepatitis and the complication associated with it, make sure to take proper precautionary measures to avoid the same. In case of hepatitis diagnosis, ensure to get effective treatment for better and quick recovery. To avail instant funds for the treatment of hepatitis, you can consider availing a medical loan. With leading financial institutions, you can avail a medical loan online from the comfort of your home. Instant approval and quick disbursal of the loan amount are some of the advantages that make medical loans a preferred financing option in times of emergencies.
On the occasion of world hepatitis day, let’s take all the precautionary measures to control hepatitis and work towards increasing awareness of the same.
