World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on 28 July to raise awareness about viral hepatitis – a serious liver infection that can lead to severe liver disease and even liver cancer.

This day encourages governments, organisations, and individuals around the world to take action against hepatitis and promote global awareness. The date was chosen to honour Dr Baruch Blumberg, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed a test and vaccine for it.

Understanding Hepatitis

There are five main types of hepatitis viruses:

• Hepatitis A & E – Spread through contaminated food and water

• Hepatitis B & D – Spread through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids

• Hepatitis C – Spread mainly through blood-to-blood contact

How to Prevent Hepatitis

You can protect yourself and others from hepatitis by following a few key practices:

• Get vaccinated – Safe and effective vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and B

• Avoid sharing items like needles, razors, and toothbrushes

• Practice safe sex

• Maintain good hygiene

• Drink clean water and eat well-cooked food

• Avoid using unsterile injection equipment

The Hepatitis B vaccine also helps prevent Hepatitis D, and giving it at birth can drastically reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

South Africa’s Commitment

South Africa has signed on to the World Health Organization’s global hepatitis strategy, which aims to:

• Reduce new hepatitis infections by 90%

• Cut hepatitis-related deaths by 65%
  These goals are set for achievement by 2030, but reaching them requires better access to testing and treatment, which currently remains limited.

World Hepatitis Day 2025 Theme: “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”

This year’s theme highlights the urgency of breaking down barriers – financial, social, and systemic – that prevent people from accessing prevention, testing, and treatment. It calls for:

• Simplifying services

• Expanding access

• Integrating hepatitis care into public health systems

Know the Symptoms

Hepatitis often shows no symptoms, but when they do appear, they may include:

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Abdominal pain

• Dark urine

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

In some cases, untreated hepatitis can become chronic, leading to liver damage or cancer.

Take Action

If you experience any of the above symptoms, don’t wait – get tested. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.

Sources:
World Health Organization (WHO) | Africa Health Organisation (AHO) | RSA Department of Health