domenica 28 luglio 2013

Stop this silent killer

Why today we speak about World Hepatitis Day? To increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. Hepatitis viruses can cause  chronic inflammation of the liver that can lead to cancer. 
Hepatitis is often ignored or unknown to policymakers and public, is more prevalent than diabates and Hiv. Consider that in Usa 3% of adults are estimated to be carriers of hepatitis.
These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 240 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C.
Millions of people are living with viral hepatitis and millions more are at risk of becoming infected. World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions, such as:
  • prevention and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases;
  • increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage;
  • coordinating a global response to viral hepatitis.
Is a silent virus infact most people do not develop any symptoms when they become infected and that they remain free of symptoms often for decades until they develop chronic liver disease. 
The date of 28 July was chosen for World Hepatitis Day in honour of the birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Baruch Samuel Blumberg, discoverer of the hepatitis B virus.

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