Worldwide, 325 million people are currently living with Hepatitis. What’s even more shocking is that 290 million of those affected are unaware they have it.
There are seven types of hepatitis, some of which aren’t life threatening and some of which have long-lasting effects.
What are the different types?
The seven types of hepatitis are:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis D
- Hepatitis E
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Autoimmune hepatitis
How is it transferred?
Some of the ways you can catch hepatitis are:
- Transferred from your mother at birth
- Sharing needles/unsafe needle use
- Sharing a razor
- Coming into contact with infected blood
- Consuming food or drink which is contaminated with the faeces of an infected person
What are the symptoms?
Often those with hepatitis won’t develop any symptoms. However, if they do develop, symptoms can include:
- High temperature
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Itchy skin
- Yellowing of the eyes
Hepatitis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, so it’s better to be safe than sorry – go to your GP and find out more about how you can get tested for hepatitis.
For more information, visit the World Hepatitis Day website.