Hepatitis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the liver. It may be caused by drugs, alcohol use, or certain medical conditions but in most cases, it is caused by one of five viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. These viruses can spread through contaminated food and water, or through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids. While hepatitis A and E typically cause short-term illness, hepatitis B and C can become chronic, silently damaging the liver over many years and potentially leading to serious complications such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, or even death.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 million people globally are living with chronic hepatitis B or C, and in 2022 alone, viral hepatitis caused approximately 1.3 million deaths – a toll comparable to HIV and tuberculosis combined. Despite these alarming figures, over half of those infected remain unaware of their status, allowing the disease to spread undetected and untreated. The world marks World Hepatitis Day on 28 July 2025, under the theme: “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” highlighting the urgent need to simplify and expand access to hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment, while breaking down the stigma that prevents people from seeking care. The WHO calls on communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers to integrate hepatitis services into everyday health systems, making diagnosis and treatment accessible to all.
Hepatitis has long been a silent epidemic, hidden behind misinformation, fear, and stigma. But effective vaccines exist to prevent hepatitis B, and modern antiviral medicines can cure most cases of hepatitis C. In some cases, hepatitis causes no symptoms during the initial weeks following infection, known as the acute phase. However, when symptoms do appear in types A, B, or C, they may include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, low-grade fever, or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Chronic hepatitis B and C can remain silent for years, showing no signs until significant liver damage has already occurred.
“Raising awareness and encouraging regular testing are essential steps in tackling hepatitis,” says Lizeth Kruger, Dis-Chem Clinic Executive. “If you have contracted chronic hepatitis, like hepatitis B and C, you may not show symptoms until the damage affects liver function. Early diagnosis through testing is critical to preventing serious liver damage and saving lives.”
She further explains that breaking down the stigma around hepatitis is vital. ‘When people feel safe to talk about their diagnosis and access care without fear, we can dramatically improve health outcomes and move closer to eliminating this disease.”
Prevention begins with awareness. Everyone can play a part by learning the facts, getting tested, and encouraging others to do the same. Hepatitis viruses can spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids, water, and foods containing infectious agents. Practicing safe sex, using sterile medical and cosmetic equipment, avoiding the sharing of personal hygiene items, maintaining good personal hygiene and access to good sanitation can also significantly reduce the risk of infection.
Call to action for all
Everyone can help end hepatitis by:
- Getting tested and vaccinated.
- Talking openly to break down stigma.
- Supporting integration of hepatitis care into everyday health services.