Hepatitis: Think Again

Millions of people will mark World Hepatitis Day this year, which takes place on the 28th of July. Viral hepatitis kills 1.5 million people worldwide each year, ranking as the world's eighth biggest killer.

The aim of World Hepatitis Day is to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, and to call for access to treatment, better prevention programs and governments action.

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. There are five different hepatitis viruses, hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer, which is the second biggest cancer killer. Symptoms of viral hepatitis often go unnoticed, which is why it is so important to get tested.

To help raise the awareness of hepatitis and to challenge the stigmas associated with the disease, sign up to the World Hepatitis Day Thunderclap campaign, check out what events are going on near you by vising their events page or send a tweet to the interactive ‘tweet wall’ with the hashtag #ThinkHepatitis, which will cause a brick to turn around and reveal a positive truth, challenging people’s preconceptions about viral hepatitis.

For more information visit the World Hepatitis Day website.