From the Editor

We dedicate this issue to World Hepatitis Day which will be observed on 28 July worldwide. The day is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis.  

Our cover story this week is on Hepatitis, which commonly results from a virus. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver from any cause. Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 240 million people chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C.

The less common forms of hepatitis results from other viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis, yellow fever, and cytomegalovirus infection. The major non-viral cause of hepatitis is alcohol and drugs. Hepatitis can be acute or chronic; it occurs throughout the world. People with unusually severe acute hepatitis may require hospitalisation, but in most cases treatment is not necessary.

The World Hepatitis day campaign focuses on raising awareness of the different forms of hepatitis: what they are; how they are transmitted; who are at risk; and the various methods of prevention and treatment. Despite its staggering toll on health, hepatitis remains a group of diseases that are largely unknown, undiagnosed and untreated.

From the Editor

We dedicate this issue to World Hepatitis Day which will be observed on 28 July worldwide. The day is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis. Our cover story this week is on Hepatitis, which commonly results from a virus. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver from any cause. Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 240 million people chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C. The less common forms of hepatitis results from other viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis, yellow fever, and cytomegalovirus infection. The major non-viral cause of hepatitis is alcohol and drugs. Hepatitis can be acute or chronic; it occurs throughout the world. People with unusually severe acute hepatitis may require hospitalisation, but in most cases treatment is not necessary. The World Hepatitis day campaign focuses on raising awareness of the different forms of hepatitis: what they are; how they are transmitted; who are at risk; and the various methods of prevention and treatment. Despite its staggering toll on health, hepatitis remains a group of diseases that are largely unknown, undiagnosed and untreated.