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World Liver Day 2025 - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) Overview

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Hepatitis B Overview (Relevant to World Liver Day 2025)

What is Hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) that attacks the liver, leading to inflammation. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), with chronic cases increasing risks of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Globally, over 250 million people have chronic Hepatitis B, causing ~1.1 million deaths yearly from liver-related complications.

Transmission

• Blood (e.g., sharing needles, blood transfusions with infected blood)
• Sexual contact (unprotected sex)
• Mother-to-child (during childbirth)
• Contaminated medical equipment

Symptoms

• Often asymptomatic, especially in early stages
• Acute: Fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain, fever
• Chronic: May remain silent until liver damage (cirrhosis or cancer) develops

Prevention

• Vaccination: Highly effective, given at birth or in a 3-dose series. WHO notes 80% of newborns in the Western Pacific Region received a timely dose in 2023.
• Safe practices: Use sterile needles, practice safe sex, screen blood donations.
• Public awareness campaigns (e.g., World Liver Day 2025) promote vaccination and testing.

Diagnosis

• Blood tests detect HBV antigens (HBsAg), antibodies, and viral DNA.
• Regular liver check-ups are vital, as emphasized on World Liver Day 2025, since early detection improves outcomes.

Treatment

• Acute: Often resolves without treatment; supportive care (rest, hydration).
• Chronic: Antiviral medications (e.g., tenofovir, entecavir) suppress the virus, reducing liver damage. Simplified WHO guidelines (2024) expand treatment access.
• No cure, but research (e.g., Tune Therapeutics) explores functional cures.
• Nutrition: World Liver Day 2025’s theme, "Food is Medicine," highlights diets like the Mediterranean diet (rich in whole grains, lean proteins, omega-3s) to support liver health.

World Liver Day 2025 Context Observed on April 19, the day focused on liver disease prevention, with Hepatitis B a key concern. Campaigns stressed:

• Vaccination and testing to curb the epidemic.
• Healthy eating to manage liver health.
• Advances in treatment access and potential cures.

Global Impact

• Highest prevalence in Africa and East Asia.
• Vaccination has reduced new infections, but chronic cases remain a challenge.
• Liver cancer, linked to HBV, is a leading cause of cancer deaths in low-resource settings.

For more, visit WHO or WorldLiverDay.org. Consult a healthcare provider for testing or treatment options.

Hepatitis C (HCV)

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a viral infection targeting the liver, caused by the Hepatitis C virus, and is a focus of awareness on World Liver Day 2025 (April 19), which promoted liver health under the theme "Food is Medicine." HCV spreads mainly through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles, unsafe medical procedures, or rarely through sexual contact. Globally, approximately 50 million people live with chronic HCV, leading to about 242,000 deaths yearly from liver cirrhosis or cancer.

Key Points for Hepatitis C (HCV) on World Liver Day 2025:

• Prevention: No vaccine exists for HCV. Prevention focuses on safe practices like using sterile needles, ensuring safe blood supplies, and practicing safe sex. World Liver Day campaigns emphasized reducing transmission through education and harm reduction strategies.
• Symptoms and Detection: HCV is often asymptomatic until advanced liver damage occurs, making regular screening vital, especially for high-risk groups (e.g., people who inject drugs, those with pre-1992 blood transfusions). Blood tests detect HCV antibodies or viral RNA.
• Treatment: Highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) cure over 95% of cases in 8–12 weeks. WHO’s simplified guidelines improve access, though cost and availability remain barriers in some regions. Early treatment prevents progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
• Nutrition: A liver-supportive diet (e.g., rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats like those in the Mediterranean diet) reduces liver stress and supports recovery. World Liver Day 2025 highlighted diet as a key complement to treatment.
• Global Efforts: WHO aims to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, targeting a 90% reduction in new HCV infections. World Liver Day stressed testing, treatment access, and lifestyle changes to meet this goal.

World Liver Day 2025 underscored that HCV is preventable, detectable, and curable with timely intervention, safe practices, and a healthy diet. For more details, check WHO or WorldLiverDay.org.