World Hepatitis Day: Quotes, Wishes, Messages, Images, Date, and More

It is the day dedicated to the promotion of medical information regarding a virus called “Hepatitis”. It is celebrated every year on 28th July. Hepatitis virus is known for its deadly effects on millions of people. Let’s learn more in detail.

History of World Hepatitis Day

World hepatitis day is celebrated on 28th July, remembering American scientist and physicist Dr Baruch Blumberg. The scientist was born on 28th July 1925. Dr Baruch discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967. He is also responsible for developing of diagnostic centre and a vaccine for the same. Organizations such as WHO, CDC take world hepatitis day as an opportunity to raise awareness about the virus and thereby educate individuals about prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Significance of World Hepatitis Day

The day is celebrated to share information about a virus that causes liver inflammation and liver cancer. The day is to promote awareness about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the virus over the world through campaigns and awareness activities.

World Hepatitis Day 2023 Date

• When is World Hepatitis Day 2023?

World Hepatitis Day for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Friday, 28 July.

• World Hepatitis Day dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026

World Hepatitis Day Quotes

• People are reticent to give a newborn the hepatitis B vaccine and often delay it - Paul A. Offit
• Hepatitis C was a devastating disease but because fundamental research was done in hepatitis C, it is now curable. It is now absolutely curable with new medications. So this is transformative. - Laurie Glimcher
• Childhood vaccines are one of the great triumphs of modern medicine. Indeed, parents whose children are vaccinated no longer have to worry about their child's death or disability from whooping cough, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis, or a host of other infections. - Ezekiel Emanuel
• I don't want to be defined by being the founder of the Body Shop, and I don't want to be defined as a woman suffering from Hepatitis C. There's more to my life than that - Anita Roddick
• There are many different causes of the scarring. Viruses are common. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, what we call autoimmune diseases where the body attacks the liver itself such as primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune disease; sclerosing cholangitis is an autoimmune disease; and so those diseases where the liver is being destroyed by either the virus or an autoimmune disease, it can only scar, and why it doesn't regenerate has to do with the fact that there is this ongoing scar tissue that blocks that regeneration. - John Roberts
• There has been a treatment for hepatitis C, but the treatment has not been overwhelming effective, number 1. And number 2, it has had considerable toxicity. - Anthony S
• I love Fear Factor, but I think they're running out of fears. It's only a matter of time before they're sitting around doing shots of Hepatitis C. - Dave Attell
• Hepatitis A and B are vaccine-preventable diseases, yet they continue to be the most commonly reported vaccine-preventable diseases. Getting vaccinated, especially if you are at high risk, provides the best protection from these diseases. - J Robert Galvin
• There is a growing need to make people aware of the severity of the disease in the region. People need to be extra careful, as it is one of the regions where infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common. - Dr. RS Verma
• Hepatitis doesn’t always present symptoms. - Karen Gonzales

World Hepatitis Day Wishes

• On World Hepatitis Day, let us enhance our efforts to control the spread of Hepatitis disease.
• On World Hepatitis Day, say no to all those habits that can push you towards this fatal disease.
• One can easily avoid Hepatitis by staying a little bit cautious and following healthy practices.
• Get vaccinated on World Hepatitis Day and prevent yourself from falling prey to any of those Hepatitis diseases.
• You won't be able to see the symptoms of Hepatitis every time, so beware and raise awareness about the disease Hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day.
• Let us stand with those who are suffering from hepatitis to let them know that they are not all alone in this fight. Happy World Hepatitis Day.
• Being vigilant about hepatitis can save many lives. Happy World Hepatitis Day.
• Stop running away from Hepatitis which is a bare truth of life and a major concern to the whole world.
• If you want to give someone anything, give them your love and not hepatitis. Stay safe and stay healthy. Warm wishes on World Hepatitis Day.
• Don’t forget to take a vaccine for hepatitis for your safety and health. Warm wishes on World Hepatitis Day.
• It is time to get more curious about Hepatitis diseases and know the ways of preventing it on World Hepatitis Day.
• World Hepatitis Day is an occasion that reminds us to stay aware and informed about the disease of Hepatitis.

World Hepatitis Day Messages

• You may not always be able to see the hepatitis symptoms. So always be aware and beware. Happy World Hepatitis Day.
• Let us educate more people about the causes and consequences of Hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day.
• Raise your voice for making people aware of Hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day.
• So many people in this world are getting affected by Hepatitis every year and World Hepatitis Day gives us an opportunity to act on it.
• You can make a lot of difference by taking some precautions and by being aware of hepatitis. Wishing everyone a very Happy World Hepatitis Day.
• If we will not open our eyes towards the increasing number of people dying due to hepatitis then we will never wake up to the threat. Warm wishes on World Hepatitis Day.
• It is high time that we take a lesson from all the deaths that are caused due to Hepatitis every year.
• Care for your life, don’t let Hepatitis separate you from your loved ones.
• On World Hepatitis Day, let us enhance our efforts to control the spread of Hepatitis disease.
• Ignoring hepatitis will make the situation worse. Learning more about it and taking precautions will bring the desired change. Wishing a very Happy World Hepatitis Day.
• On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, let us promise that we will never neglect our health and never let anyone else neglect it as well.
• Each and every step towards saving a life from hepatitis matters. Happy World Hepatitis Day.
• Let us learn to protect ourselves from Hepatitis diseases on World Hepatitis Day.
• Let us come together to fight against hepatitis and not surrender to this disease. Happy World Hepatitis Day to all.

What Is the Hepatitis Virus?

Hepatitis is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver by interfering with its functions. Liver functions include conversion of harmful chemicals into harmless chemicals and storing them elsewhere. The liver purifies the blood by changing harmful chemicals into harmless ones. These chemicals may have entered the body through external sources such as medications or alcohol, or increased levels of internal substances, such as ammonia or bilirubin, may contribute to infection of the liver. These harmful chemicals are broken down into smaller chemicals or eliminated from the urine or stool body. The liver also produces many important substances such as albumin, the protein building block of the body, as well as the proteins that cause blood to clot properly. In addition, it stores many sugars, fats and vitamins until they are needed elsewhere in the body.

Types of Virus

Hepatitis virus is classified into five types based on the source and effects of the virus. Let us learn about them in brief. The five types are

1. Hepatitis A (HAV)
2. Hepatitis B (HBV)
3. Hepatitis C (HCV)
4. Hepatitis D
5. Hepatitis E

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus causes acute short term disease. This enters the body through the faecal-oral route. Unhealthy sanitary practices transmit the disease among individuals. It can also be transmitted through contact involving secretions such as kissing. It is also termed “infectious hepatitis”. It is important to observe and follow hygienic practices to avoid infection. 

Hepatitis B

This virus affects human beings. It is also believed that it could infect ground and tree squirrels too. This infection passes through blood or serum; therefore, it is also called serum hepatitis. It is transmitted through sexual contact, contaminated surgical and disposable instruments. This can develop into a chronic infection, last at least six months, and persist until years or decades in a few cases, causing liver cancer and liver failure.   

Hepatitis C

It is caused by the Hepatitis C virus. It is a long term chronic disease, which causes liver failure, cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is a bloodborne disease. It is also known to spread through sexual contact.

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D can only develop from Hepatitis B to Hepatitis D. As the virus requires a protein created from HBV, it usually develops in patients with existing HBV. The transmission is similar to HBV; through contaminated surgical instruments and sexual contact. It is also known as the “Delta virus”. It affects the liver and causes inflammation, liver scarring and liver cancer.

Hepatitis E

It is caused by the Hepatitis E virus. This infection is transmitted through water. It is an acute disease but can be dangerous, especially for pregnant women. Apart from the above, scientists have come across another type which is the Hepatitis G virus. The effects and mode of infection are unclear. It is still under investigation.

Symptoms of Infection

Any viral infection will not have immediate fatal effects. All infections are recognized by the reactions of the body. Let us look at common symptoms of Hepatitis to help us get the right treatment at the earliest. The onset of symptoms for acute infection can occur at anytime from 14 days to 180 days, whereas for chronic infection, it may take decades to develop symptoms. Symptoms of acute infection are

a. Fever

b. Fatigue

c. Loss of appetite

d. Nausea

e. Vomiting

f. Abdominal pain

g. Dark urine

h. Light-colored stools

i. Joint pain

j. Jaundice

In case of chronic infection, the patient may realize only after Liver failure.

Who is Prone to the Risk of Hepatitis?

People living in environments where the sanitization facility management is poor are at high risk because of the unsafe water used in household work and for drinking purposes. The risk is higher in those who indulge in unsafe sex, use contaminated surgical instruments unintentionally, and receive blood from a donor, who later tested positive for Hepatitis. Pregnant women can transmit the infection to their offspring. 

As per the centre for disease control and prevention (CDC) statistics, HIV patients are at high risk of Hepatitis C. In addition to the above, CDC states that people who received maintenance hemodialysis and those with abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (an enzyme found within the liver cell) are at high risk to Hepatitis C. However, the presence of existing medical conditions can also be susceptible to Hepatitis C.

How is the Awareness Spread Across the World?

The day is celebrated across the globe with the promotion of awareness about the virus as agenda. The celebrations include activities such as free screenings, poster campaigns, demonstrations, concerts, talk shows, flash mobs and vaccination drives. Few of the celebrities take part as part of social responsibility.

Theme for 2022

The theme of WHS 2022 is “Achieving the elimination of viral hepatitis within evolving health systems”. 

 “With COVID-19 resulting in radical disruption to health systems and the global health agenda increasingly focusing on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), WHS 2022 will explore the challenges and opportunities for hepatitis programmes within these evolving health systems,” said Cary James, WHA, CEO  

WHS 2022 will be the third World Hepatitis Summit; preceding summits were WHS 2015 held in Glasgow, Scotland and WHS 2017 held in São Paolo, Brazil. Previous summits were landmark events in the global hepatitis response. WHS 2022 will accelerate progress towards hepatitis elimination in the face of COVID-19. The theme represents the belief to reach 2030 elimination targets within a decade. It has never been more important to bring the hepatitis community together again.

Interesting Facts and Figures 

1. As per the Hepatitis B Foundation, approximately 10% of Hepatitis B Virus infected individuals are diagnosed every year.
2. As per the HBV foundation analysis, thousands of people lose their lives every year from hepatitis B in the United States.
3. As per the fact sheets of the World health organization (WHO), Hepatitis E is most common in East and South Asia. However, it is prevalent in other parts of the world too.
4. The fact sheet also states that an estimated 58 million people have chronic hepatitis C virus infection, with about 1.5 million new infections occurring per year.
5. The fact sheet also reflects that the combination of Hepatitis D Virus and Hepatitis B Virus infection is the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis due to rapid progression towards liver-related death and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Fun Fact

There is a separate website for world hepatitis day.

Prevention is better than cure, let’s get vaccinated and stay healthy