July 28th is World Hepatitis Day.  Every year this day is marked to raise awareness of the millions of cases of undiagnosed Hepatitis worldwide.  Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that causes a range of health problems, including liver cancer. It is estimated that only 10% of people living with Hepatitis B and 19% of people living with Hepatitis C actually know their status.

There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D, and E.  Together, hepatitis B and C are the most common cause of deaths, with 1.3 million lives lost each year. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, viral hepatitis continues to claim thousands of lives every day.

This year’s theme is “Hepatitis-free future,” with a strong focus on preventing hepatitis B among mothers and newborns. On 28 July, WHO will publish new recommendations on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.

The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV): the virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.

• Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver cancer.
• The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus: the most common modes of infection are through exposure to small quantities of blood. This may happen through injection drug use, unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care, transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products, and sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood.

If you believe you may have been exposed to the Hepatitis Virus, check with the UPEI Health & Wellness Centre about free screening.  Call 902-566-0616 or email:  healthcentre@upei.ca.