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Every year, World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 to raise global awareness of viral hepatitis, a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, that affects over 350 million people worldwide. The day also marks the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed its diagnostic test and vaccine.
Hepatitis, especially Hepatitis B and C, causes chronic liver inflammation, which may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if left untreated. With the burden of viral hepatitis steadily rising in India and across the globe, World Hepatitis Day 2025 serves as a critical reminder to educate, screen, and act, because hepatitis is preventable and treatable.
Synopsis
World Hepatitis Day 2025 Theme
The 2025 theme, "Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down," urges immediate action to eliminate the financial, social, and systemic barriers, including stigma, that hinder the global fight against hepatitis and liver cancer.
Chronic hepatitis B and C often progress silently, causing severe liver damage and cancer, even though they are preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable. This year’s theme underscores the importance of simplifying, scaling up, and integrating essential hepatitis services, such as vaccination, safe injection practices, harm reduction, testing, and treatment within national healthcare systems.
The campaign serves as a global call to action: expand access, integrate care, and accelerate efforts to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
Why World Hepatitis Day Matters
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Every 30 seconds, someone dies from hepatitis-related illness, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Hepatitis B and C are responsible for most liver-related deaths and are often silent in the early stages.
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Despite the availability of vaccines and treatment, many are unaware they are infected.
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India carries a heavy burden, with an estimated 40 million people living with Hepatitis B and 6–12 million with Hepatitis C.
This day is crucial for spreading awareness, encouraging testing and vaccination, and improving access to treatment, especially in developing nations.
Types of Hepatitis & Their Transmission
|
Type |
Transmission Route |
Vaccine Available |
Acute/Chronic |
Common in India? |
|
Hepatitis A |
Contaminated food/water |
Yes |
Acute only |
Yes |
|
Hepatitis B |
Blood, sexual contact, and childbirth |
Yes |
Both |
Yes |
|
Hepatitis C |
Blood transfusion, unsafe injections |
No |
Both |
Yes |
|
Hepatitis D |
With Hepatitis B only |
Indirectly |
Chronic |
Rare |
|
Hepatitis E |
Contaminated water |
Yes (limited use) |
Acute |
Yes (rural areas) |
How to Prevent Hepatitis
1. Get Vaccinated
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Hepatitis A and B vaccines are widely available and highly effective.
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Newborns should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth.
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Travellers and high-risk groups should consider vaccination after consultation.
2. Practice Safe Hygiene
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Drink only clean, filtered, or boiled water.
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Wash hands thoroughly before meals and after using the toilet.
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Avoid eating from unhygienic roadside vendors.
3. Use Safe Injections and Blood Transfusions
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Always insist on sterile, single-use needles.
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Only receive blood transfusions from certified blood banks.
4. Practice Safe Sex and Avoid Sharing Personal Items
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Use protection during sexual activity.
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Avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, or nail cutters that may carry infected blood.
5. Screen Regularly
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If you're at risk, get screened for Hepatitis B and C.
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Pregnant women should be screened to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Symptoms of Hepatitis to Watch Out For
Many hepatitis infections are asymptomatic in early stages, but warning signs may include:
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Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
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Fatigue and weakness
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Nausea, vomiting
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Abdominal pain or swelling
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Dark urine and pale stools
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Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
Early diagnosis allows for better treatment outcomes and prevents long-term liver damage.
Essential Liver Health Tips
Whether or not you have hepatitis, taking care of your liver is essential to overall health.
1. Eat a Balanced, Liver-Friendly Diet
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Include green leafy vegetables, whole grains, citrus fruits, turmeric, and garlic
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Reduce intake of fried, oily, sugary, and processed foods
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Avoid excess red meat, refined carbs, and junk food
2. Stay Hydrated
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Drink plenty of clean water
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Avoid sugary sodas and limit caffeine
3. Limit or Avoid Alcohol
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Alcohol is a major contributor to liver disease, especially when combined with hepatitis infection
4. Exercise Regularly
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Helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
5. Be Cautious with Medications
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Avoid self-medicating or taking excess painkillers and herbal supplements, which may harm your liver
Conclusion
Hepatitis is preventable. Hepatitis is treatable. Hepatitis can’t wait.
World Hepatitis Day 2025 is more than a health observance; it's a call to action. By spreading awareness, promoting vaccination, encouraging testing, and supporting those affected, we move closer to a hepatitis-free future. Book a consultation with our expert hepatologists in Manipal Hospitals, Gurgaon, for diagnosis or personalised treatment.
Your liver is silently working to keep you healthy. Don’t wait for symptoms to show; act now, get tested, and take control of your liver health.
FAQ's
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Hepatitis C is curable with antiviral medications.
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Hepatitis B is not curable but can be controlled with lifelong treatment.
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Hepatitis A and E usually clear up on their own and don't require specific treatment.
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Healthcare workers
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People with multiple sexual partners
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Individuals with a history of blood transfusion (especially before 2002)
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People who inject drugs
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Those living in areas with poor sanitation
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Babies born to infected mothers
Hepatitis is diagnosed through blood tests, including:
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Liver function tests (LFTs)
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Hepatitis virus markers (HBsAg, Anti-HCV, etc.)
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Ultrasound or liver biopsy may be done in chronic cases.
Yes. Chronic hepatitis B and C can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and significantly increase the risk of liver cancer if not treated in time.
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Acute hepatitis is a short-term illness that lasts less than 6 months and may resolve on its own.
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Chronic hepatitis lasts longer than 6 months and can cause long-term liver damage, requiring ongoing treatment.
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