Get ready to join the global fight against hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day on July 28! This day was first established in 2008 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness and advocate for the prevention, testing, and treatment of this infectious liver disease. Since then it has become an important international event that brings people together from all over the world with a shared mission: to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1947</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Discovery of Hepatitis Viruses</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dr. Albert Sabin and Dr. Joseph Stokes demonstrate that "infectious hepatitis" (later known as Hepatitis A) is caused by a virus.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1963</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Hepatitis B Virus Isolated</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dr. Baruch Blumberg first identifies the Hepatitis B virus, later developing a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1989</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Discovery of Hepatitis C</div><div class='timeline-text'>Scientists at Chiron Corporation, led by Michael Houghton, discover the Hepatitis C virus.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1992</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Screening of Blood Donations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Screening of blood donations for Hepatitis C virus becomes routine worldwide, significantly reducing the risk of transmission.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of World Hepatitis Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The World Health Organization (WHO) establishes World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness about viral hepatitis.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Health Sector Strategy</div><div class='timeline-text'>WHO releases the Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis aiming to eliminate Hepatitis B and C by 2030.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to learn more about hepatitis, its causes and effects, and how it can be prevented. There is a wealth of information available online.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread awareness</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share your knowledge with others and encourage them to learn more about the disease. Use social media, word of mouth, or create a poster or presentation.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Help out at a local health center or charity that focuses on hepatitis education, prevention, and treatment. You can even organize a fundraising event.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Get tested</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis, get tested as soon as possible – early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further health complications.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Advocate for change</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Write letters to your representatives encouraging them to increase funding for hepatitis research and programs that support those living with the virus.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Raises awareness of hepatitis</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Hepatitis Day is a key event for raising awareness of the global epidemic of viral hepatitis. It provides an opportunity to remind people about the seriousness of the condition and how people can protect themselves from catching it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Provides education about prevention & treatments</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Hepatitis Day is also important because it helps to educate people about preventive measures they can take, as well as existing treatments and possible cures. Knowing more information about the different types of viral hepatitis can help individuals make informed decisions regarding their health.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Highlights need for increased funding & resources</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Another valuable aspect of World Hepatitis Day is that it highlights the need for additional research into this condition, and improved access to diagnosis, treatment and care in all countries. It's an especially important time to draw attention to campaigns advocating for increased funding initiatives aimed at combating this deadly virus.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are five types of viral hepatitis</h3><p class='facts-content'>Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are different types of viral hepatitis, each caused by a different virus, and they all affect the liver in various manners with unique parameters of severity and transmission.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver cancer</h3><p class='facts-content'>Chronic Hepatitis B can lead to serious health issues, including liver cancer. Nearly 30% of all cirrhosis and 53% of all liver cancer cases are attributable to Hepatitis B worldwide.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hepatitis C is often asymptomatic</h3><p class='facts-content'>Acute Hepatitis C often doesn't have any noticeable symptoms, which can make it difficult to recognize and leads to many people living with the infection without knowing it.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hepatitis D only affects people with Hepatitis B</h3><p class='facts-content'>Hepatitis D is an additional virus that can affect people who are already infected with Hepatitis B. Dual infection with both viruses can lead to more serious disease outcomes and complications.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hepatitis E can be severe in pregnant women</h3><p class='facts-content'>Hepatitis E infection can be severe in pregnant women, especially those in their third trimester, leading to a high rate of maternal and fetal death.</p></div></div>
World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on July 28 every year. In 2024 World Hepatitis Day will occur on a Sunday.
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