Did you know that the hepatitis B virus is up to 100 times more infectious than HIV — the virus we have all come to know and fear in one way or another? Despite that frightening fact, awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of viral hepatitis are not nearly as developed or popular as those that target HIV. However, we that this group of infectious diseases, many of which are killers, deserve much more attention — as there are important steps everyone can take to prevent viral hepatitis infections. On this hepatitis awareness day we decided to give it a very special shiny spot.
Hepatitis, especially hepatitis B in its early stages, tends to cause flu-like symptoms and tiredness, so it’s often mistaken for a common cold or flu. But hepatitis is not innocent at all – it is the number one cause of liver disease, and more than 80 percent of all liver cancer cases in the world were caused by chronic hepatitis B. Without a doubt, hepatitis is a silent killer indeed.
These two numbers seem somehow connected, don’t they? If those 75 percent of people knew they were infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, perhaps the number of hepatitis infected people who die due to the consequences of liver failure would be similarly reduced. In the case of hepatitis, not being aware of an infection drastically increases your chances of dying. So, think about it… do you want to know, or do you want to die? Beyond that, in terms of social responsibility, would you want to risk potentially passing a hepatitis infection you don't even know you have onto someone else, who may then continue the deadly chain?
We have one more, very important fact for you — especially if you or your parents are baby boomers. Hepatitis statistics for US baby boomers aren’t promising, and as a matter of fact it is highly likely to be fatal! As many as three out of four US residents born between 1945 and 1965 are infected with hepatitis C!
Therefore, get tested for hepatitis and rule out the possibility of infection, or if necessary – get that treatment. It may save your life.
Early hepatitis B or C detection leads to much better disease control. In most cases of early hepatitis B detection, total recovery from the virus is highly possible (9 out of 10 people clear the virus), and this is also true for some cases of hepatitis C (2 out of 10 people completely clear the virus). Nevertheless, if you are afraid of being in the unlucky group that doesn’t clear the virus — everyone benefits from early hepatitis detection and therefore disease management.
Should we say more? Your job now is to get tested for the presence of viral hepatitis.
But first take a look at our simple infographic. And then go get tested.