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July 28th is World Hepatitis Day 2022. Established in 2008 by the World Hepatitis Alliance, the observation day aims to raise awareness about viral hepatitis. Untreated, the virus inflames the liver, leading to severe disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Since Hepatitis C (HCV) is a slow-acting infection, people can live with the chronic virus for decades without experiencing noticeable symptoms. However, by the time symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite arise, the damage has already been done.

In contrast, other forms of hepatitis are faster acting. For example, Hepatitis B (HBV) symptoms usually appear about ninety days after infection. Unlike Hepatitis C, there is a vaccine for Hepatitis B that prevents infection. Like Hepatitis C, if untreated, HBV often becomes chronic. In some cases, HBC acts like HCV, causing no symptoms for years. When there are any health-related warning signs, the damage to the liver often is extreme.

As a note, the Hepatitis D virus (HDV) requires a Hepatitis B infection for its replication. HDV affects globally nearly 5% of people who have a chronic infection with Hepatitis B virus, and it is very rare in the United States. Across the globe, populations most likely to have HBV and HDV co-infection are indigenous populations and recipients of hemodialysis treatment for damaged kidneys. In the United States, this kind of co-infection arises on rare occasions in injection drug users.

The most common form of the virus and the most highly contagious is Hepatitis A. Although it can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months, it typically is not severe. Like Hepatitis B, there is a vaccine available for Hepatitis A.

World Hepatitis Day 2022 and Primary Care

Hepatitis A usually spreads through contaminated food or water in the United States. When a person with Hepatitis A, who does not wash their hands after using the bathroom, handles food or water, it leads to the spread of the virus. These viral outbreaks often occur in restaurants and bars. More difficult to contract, Hepatitis B is only spread through direct contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids.

Even more difficult to spread, Hepatitis C requires physical contact with infected blood. Such contact means the infection requires direct blood-to-blood contact to spread. Thus, the virus often is contracted by drug users who share needles. Tattoos, body piercings, and rough sex that lead to blood exchange can also spread HCV. In addition, donated blood only began to be screened for the virus after 1992. Thus, people who received a blood transfusion before 1992 are also at risk and need to be tested for HCV.

With six primary care facilities and healthcare clinics in the San Fernando Valley, the Antelope Valley, and Long Beach, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) provides affordable treatment and testing for hepatitis infections. Moreover, testing for Hepatitis C infections is a significant emphasis. Since HCV infections last so long before symptomology arises, testing is critical. Although there may be no symptoms, the Hepatitis C virus is still causing potential damage.

The Message of World Hepatitis Day 2022

Understanding how many lives are being lost, the message of World Hepatitis Day 2022 is “I Can’t Wait.” As a provider of integrated healthcare services, TTC believes in the critical importance of this message. Too many people in underserved communities are not being tested or treated for these viruses. However, people living with chronic Hepatitis infections cannot wait for testing and or treatment options. They need help today.

According to the World Health Organization, “Global efforts prioritize the elimination of the hepatitis B, C and D infections. Unlike acute viral hepatitis, these 3 infections cause chronic hepatitis that lasts for several decades and culminate in over 1 million deaths per year from cirrhosis and liver cancer. These 3 types of chronic hepatitis infections are responsible for over 95% of hepatitis deaths.”

Tarzana Treatment Centers Is Here to Help

Given the staggering number of deaths yearly, World Hepatitis Day 2022 is a crucial observation day. By raising awareness and educating the public, access to vaccinations, testing, and treatment can stem the tide. If you want to know more about TTC’s Primary Care options, please contact us today. On World Hepatitis Day, we are here to help.