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World Hepatitis Day This is Hepatitis: know it, confront it

Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 240 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C.
Despite devastating impact, hepatitis remains largely unknown as a health threat in much of the world. With a view to increasing the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases it causes, World Hepatitis Day observed every year on 28 July.
Millions of people are living with viral hepatitis and millions more are at risk of becoming infected. Most people with chronic infection with hepatitis B or C are unaware that they continue to carry the virus. They are therefore at high risk of developing severe chronic liver disease and can unknowingly transmit the virus to other people.
Approximately one million people die each year from causes related to viral hepatitis, most commonly cirrhosis and liver cancer. Although the burden of disease related to hepatitis infection is very high, in most countries, the problem has not been addressed in a comprehensive way for many reasons.
Viral hepatitis also places a heavy burden on the healthcare system because of the high costs of treatment of liver cancer and liver failure from cirrhosis.
Prevention of hepatitis with vaccine and other safety measures is crucial to reduce the burden.

Source - The daily Star