28 July: World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day is being observed every year on July 28 around the globe.
Focus of the day: To spread awareness about viral hepatitis, that causes acute and chronic disease and kills around 1.4 million people every year. It also seeks to encourage diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Hepatitis.
2015 Theme- Prevent Hepatitis: It’s up to You.

About World Hepatitis Day

• It is being observed since 2010 and is one of the 8 official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• WHO in May 2010 had passed resolution for observance of this day on viral hepatitis which provides official endorsement. Prior to this, World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) had launched campaign in concern of chronic viral hepatitis in 2008.
• 28 July was chosen to mark the birthday of Professor Baruch Blumberg. He had discovered hepatitis B virus and was awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1976) for this discovery.

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis name has derived from Greek word ‘Hepar’ meaning liver and ‘itis’ meaning inflammation. Thus, it is a medical condition in which there occurs inflammation of liver cells and its complications vary with the type of infection.

What are different types of Hepatitis?

There are 5 types of hepatitis viz. A, B, C, D and E. Each type is caused by a different hepatitis virus.

What causes Hepatitis?

It is mostly caused by a group of viruses called hepatitis viruses and also be caused by intoxicants like drugs, alcohol, chemicals and other infections and autoimmune diseases.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2015