Community asked to 'Take the next step' on World Hepatitis Day

Today, July 28, is World Hepatitis Day, and the Australian theme ‘Take the Next Step’ encourages us to focus on progress, action, and moving forward together.

It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about viral Hepatitis, encouraging prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

This date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Dr Baruch Blumberg, the scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus.

World Hepatitis Day, held on July 28, is one of the World Health Organisation’s nine officially mandated global public health days.

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Take the next step

This year, the National Theme for World Hepatitis Day in Australia is ‘Take the Next Step’. Encouraging us all to take the next step for their health, no matter where they are in their journey.

In Australia, nearly 230,000 people are living with hepatitis B and almost 65,000 Australians are estimated to be living with hepatitis C, with many remaining undiagnosed or disconnected from care.

Every healthcare worker has a role to play in Australia achieving a future free from viral hepatitis, and every action taken brings us closer to this goal.

1 in 3 people living with Hepatitis B don’t realise they have it. Many people don’t realise that they are at risk. So people are missing out on life-saving treatment and care.

What is viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis causes inflammation that damages your liver. You get viral hepatitis by having contact with blood or bodily fluids from someone who has it.

There are five different types. Most cause symptoms like fatigue or dark-colored pee.

Liver cancer is Australia’s fastest-growing cause of cancer death, with hepatitis B and C driving 90% of cases.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can be chronic, which means you could have them your whole life. Over time, they can lead to serious health issues, including liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Many people with hepatitis B or hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, which means they can live with the virus for years without knowing.

There is a safe and effective vaccine to protect you against getting hepatitis B.

You can get treatment to manage chronic hepatitis B but not cure it, but with treatment you can live a happy life. You can live well with hepatitis, and there is support available to support you through your next step.

There is no vaccine to protect against hepatitis C, but there is an effective cure.

The medicines known as direct-acting antivirals are easy to take with as little as one tablet a day, and most people experience few to no side effects. Most people can get a prescription from their GP, and they are low cost for people with Medicare.