Thread by @WHO

It's #WorldHepatitisDay!

Bringing #hepatitis care closer to communities and those in need is 🗝️ to achieving a hepatitis-free future.

Here are 5⃣ things you should know about viral hepatitis 👇

More than 350 million people live with viral #hepatitis, and every 30 seconds, someone dies from hepatitis-related disease including liver failure, cirrhosis and cancer.

Don't wait, get tested 👉bit.ly/3cJozjF #WorldHepatitisDay

#Hepatitis A is an infection that can cause mild to severe illness. It is mostly transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.

More info 👉bit.ly/3BgIe4Q

#Hepatitis B is most commonly transmitted from 🤰 to 👶 during birth & early childhood.

It is also spread by:
- needlestick injury,
- tattooing,
- piercing,
- exposure to infected blood & body fluids.

More info 👉bit.ly/3b8J3Cc

The #hepatitis B vaccine protects your baby from chronic hepatitis infection that can lead to liver disease and cancer.

More info 👉bit.ly/3b8J3Cc #WorldHepatitisDay

#Hepatitis C is a virus that can cause both acute & chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.

Timely testing and treatment of hepatitis C can save lives. 👉bit.ly/3PBQroC

#Hepatitis D is a virus that occurs only in association with hepatitis B infection. Vaccination against hepatitis B is the only way to prevent hepatitis D infection.

More info 👉bit.ly/3PDx7qX

#Hepatitis E is an infection which is transmitted principally via contaminated food and water.

Improving sanitation & providing clean drinking water are 🔑 to preventing it.

More info 👉bit.ly/3zaZy8Q

There has been a new outbreak of unexplained acute #hepatitis infections among children. WHO is working to understand the cause of this infection that does not appear to belong to any of the known 5 types of hepatitis viruses: A,B,C,D, and E.👇

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1547201377868333057

The world’s first vaccination campaign to combat a #hepatitis E outbreak has been rolled out successfully in #SouthSudan 🇸🇸.

WHO strongly encourages all countries experiencing an outbreak to consider using the vaccine against hepatitis E, including in pregnant women.

📸 @MSF

Protect yourself & others from #hepatitis by:
 
1⃣ using sterile injections
2⃣ practising safer sex
3⃣ using your own razors/blades
4⃣ using safe tattooing/piercing tools
5⃣ vaccinating children against hepatitis B
6⃣ getting tested/knowing your status
 
👉bit.ly/3cJozjF