World Hepatitis Day
July 28th
Annual global event to raise
awareness of viral
hepatitis
History of World Hepatitis Day
• 2010 – World Health Organization passes a
resolution to make July 28th World Hepatitis Day
• Canada supports World Health Organization in
the implementation of events across Canada
In Canada…
• About 1 in 5 people infected with hepatitis C do not
know they are infected and remain undiagnosed
• An estimated 550,000 people have viral
hepatitis B or C, with many unaware of
their status
What is Hepatitis?
• Disease caused by viruses that attack the liver
• There are 5 different types of hepatitis:
A
B
E
Hepatitis
D
C
Hepatitis can lead to…
• Liver damage (cirrhosis)
• Liver cancer
• The need for a liver transplant
What are the Symptoms?
• Viral hepatitis’ symptoms may not be obvious until
serious liver damage has occurred
abdominal
pain
Most
common
symptoms
fatigue
nausea
&
vomiting
yellowing
of the
skin &
eyes
dark
urine
How Do You Get Hepatitis?
During medical
procedures
where infection
control
precautions are
not observed
Sharing
personal
hygiene
items
Transmission
Exposure to bodily
fluids of an infected
person (e.g. sexual
intercourse, mother
to child)
Sharing drug
using
equipment
Using nonsterile
equipment for
tattoos & body
piercing
Are there Vaccines?
Hepatitis A & B can be prevented by a vaccine.
There is NO licensed vaccine for hepatitis C.
Are there Treatments?
Treatments are available for
both chronic hepatitis B and C.
Learn More…
• Contact us at:
World Hepatitis Day (Canada)
www.whdcanada.org