World Hepatitis Day: Hepatitis Can’t Wait!

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World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day is the need for the people fighting hepatitis. The miserable stigma associated with hepatitis fails the attempt to regress the aggressively escalating statistics. The statistics on hepatitis are disappointing. Unethical stigma and dreadful discrimination are the culprits behind the lack of attention to awareness, availability of screening opportunities and consultation for treatment.

Today, hepatitis is one of the most neglected viral illnesses with a progressive rate of infection and mortality. The figures and percentages introduce unanswered questions about medical advances. Despite the global advancement in medicine and technology, we stand under dismaying circumstances for the improvement of hepatitis statistics. 

With one step at a time together we can defeat hepatitis.

World Hepatitis Alliance aims to eradicate the stigma associated with hepatitis.

Eradicating stigma, discrimination and violation of human rights for people suffering from hepatitis is a necessity for eradicating hepatitis. Taking incentives to increase awareness about hepatitis among the world populations irrespective of socioeconomic status, race, religion, educational status, and cultural and ethical backgrounds, is expected to demonstrate fruitful outcomes.

The motive is only to convey the message of believing in screening for hepatitis, treatment and living a successful and fulfilled life without hepatitis. Apparently, the motive seems complex and achieving it seems even more time-consuming and demanding, but together we can make it successful with World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA)

People await awareness!

This World Hepatitis Day, become a voice.

World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) is a non-government organization that advocates for fighting for a world free from viral hepatitis. This organization allotted 28th July for World Hepatitis Day (WHD).WHD is an officially mandated global public health day in coordination with World Health Organization (WHO) which pledges to spread quality awareness around the world about hepatitis. World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) works actively to bring populations in terms with hepatitis, its prevention, screening, management, treatment and cure. It is devastating to recognize that currently, awareness and access to management and treatment is need of the hour for millions of hepatitis sufferers who, otherwise, can become another number, another percentage in the growing statistics.

Trivializing the practical efforts of the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) does not assist the noble cause. It is the utmost responsibility of every aware and free citizen to contribute their voice to spread awareness. 

Nobody chooses hepatitis. Why let hepatitis choose anyone?

Pregnant women who are infected with hepatitis A, B or C are very likely to vertically transmit the infection to their baby. Nobody chooses hepatitis. In the majority of the cases, mothers are unaware of hepatitis proliferating in them. Prompt screening and early detection can save a baby from receiving hepatitis.

Hepatitis A – early detection and vaccine can help

Hepatitis A is mild hepatitis but not for pregnant women. Although it is rare to transmit hepatitis A vertically, it causes severe complications especially if it occurs after the first trimester. Early labour and detachment of the placenta before birth can prove fatal for the fetus. World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) encourages vaccination against hepatitis A, especially within 2 weeks in case of contracting the virus.

Hepatitis B – early detection and vaccine can help

Hepatitis B and C are severe hepatitis. A pregnant woman transmits the virus vertically to the fetus through blood, saliva, vaginal discharge and other body fluids before, during and after C-section or spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD). Remember, there is no cure for hepatitis B therefore, the vaccine is the only authentic prevention. According to World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), only 43% of children receive hepatitis B birth dose vaccine. Moreover, 1.1 M lives are lost every year to hepatitis B and C.

Hepatitis C – early detection can help

Hepatitis C virus especially infects women who have a history of prescription drug abuse and heroin. This virus spreads to babies through blood only. The baby does not receive this virus before birth, it only occurs after birth no matter the delivery is vaginal or cesarean. Unfortunately, there is no way to stop the virus from transmitting from mother to baby. 

Pregnant women with hepatitis don’t have sufficient awareness and knowledge about the next steps. They believe they are helpless, but they are not. This is where the motive of World Hepatitis Day comes into purpose. The repercussions of insufficient awareness are cruel for the baby coming into this world. Therefore, World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) intends for a world free from viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis can’t wait. Pregnant women can’t wait. Newborn children can’t wait. We must act now!

Hepatitis impacts all aspects of sufferers’ life

Hepatitis critically affects social, economic, occupational, educational, and all other areas of sufferer. The decline in health, discrimination from the community and loss of financial stability create suffocating circumstances. The affected individuals don’t spend quality time with their family indoors or outdoors. Performance at the workplace drops dramatically. Emotional and mental turmoil adds to the already exceeding problems. Overall, life loses charm. It does not stop here! Hepatitis progresses over time and develops complications including liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and ultimately, liver failure. If the awareness reaches a person in need on time, it is possible to save their life.

Contribute your part and support World Hepatitis Day to save a life. Hepatitis can’t wait.

MEDizzy aims to join the initiative of World Hepatitis Day launched by World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) by spreading awareness among the general population and the healthcare professionals. Aware and educated healthcare professionals make a difference with their knowledge and clinical skills in performing their part in spreading awareness, employing preventive measures to help their patients prevent hepatitis and managing and treating hepatitis.

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