World Hepatitis Day – 'Hepatitis Can't Wait'
World Hepatitis Day – 'Hepatitis Can't Wait'
28 July 2021
This year’s World Hepatitis Day theme, ‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait’ highlights the need to act now to eliminate hepatitis.
Every 30 seconds a person dies from a hepatitis related illness.
In Australia, over 340,000 people are living with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C and both can cause long term health issues, liver failure, cancer and even death if left untreated.
How does viral hepatitis spread?
Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood to blood contact such as intravenous drug use, unsterile tattooing or piercing, sharing razors or a toothbrush that may contain traces of infected blood.
Hepatitis B can be passed on through contact from someone infected with hepatitis B via blood or other body fluids (e.g. semen and vaginal fluid during sex) and can be passed on from mother to child during childbirth.
How can it be treated?
Hepatitis B is vaccine preventable and treatment is available to lessen the progress of liver damage.
Hepatitis C is curable. There is a simple and affordable treatment available which cures hepatitis C in 95% – 98% of cases.
Talk to your GP or health worker about hepatitis B and C and request a simple blood test.
Don’t wait. Get tested. It could save your life.
For more information visit HepatitisWA (external site) or call the Hepatitis WA Helpline:
- Metro: (08) 9328 8538
- Country (free call): 1800 800 070