Hepatitis Awareness Month: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Hepatitis Awareness Month (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Hepatitis Awareness Month is celebrated on May 1st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Hepatitis Awareness Month, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you need know about Hepatitis Awareness Month.

📅 What day is Hepatitis Awareness Month 2024?

In 2024, Hepatitis Awareness Month is on Monday, May 1st. It is the 1st Monday in May; in 2024, it is Wednesday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all the fun details and facts about May 1, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month, during which efforts are made nationwide to increase knowledge and understanding about hepatitis. Various organizations work towards promoting the importance of the hepatitis B vaccine, proper care, and treatment, and also highlight the consequences of untreated hepatitis. Hepatitis refers to the inflammation of the liver and can be triggered by factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, chemicals, as well as viral and bacterial infections. The most common types of hepatitis in the United States are viral hepatitis A, B, and C.

📜 Hepatitis Awareness Month History

In the twentieth century, significant advancements were made in controlling diseases. The connection between fecal matter and the transmission of hepatitis was discovered during World War I. In World War II, German physicians conducted experiments on their own people to demonstrate that hepatitis could be caused by a virus. In the early 1970s, the hepatitis A and B viruses were formally identified. However, later on, it was discovered that blood transfusions could also transmit a different type of hepatitis, known as “non-A, non-B hepatitis.” This variant was later named the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989. It was found that this virus could be spread through blood transfusions.

By the late 1990s, stricter screening of blood products was implemented, but the number of people affected by hepatitis C continued to rise. The main cause was found to be drug addicts sharing infected needles. Treatment for hepatitis C has been available since the 1990s, using a combination of interferon and ribavirin. However, the cure rate is relatively low, being less than 50%, and the treatment can have various negative effects.

In late 2013, a new generation of therapies called Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAA) was developed. However, it was only a minor improvement and was quite expensive. In June 2014, France and 14 other European countries initiated a campaign urging commercial laboratories to lower their prices for these therapies.

✅ Hepatitis Awareness Month Facts

🔖 Hepatitis can lead to cancer
If chronic hepatitis is not treated effectively, it can result in inflammation that harms cells and potentially progresses to liver cancer.

🔖 Pregnant women should be tested
Pregnant women are the main carriers of hepatitis B, causing widespread transmission of the infection globally. Therefore, it is crucial to screen pregnant women for hepatitis B to prevent further spread of the disease.

🔖 Hepatitis isn’t necessarily related to bad habits
Certain types of hepatitis viruses can be transmitted through either contaminated water or food, while type B is primarily spread through bodily fluids, and type C is specifically transmitted through blood.

👍 Why Is Hepatitis Awareness Month Important

It emphasizes the significance of hepatitis awareness and adequate immunization. It also disseminates information about the most recent studies and advances.

Many individuals are misinformed about hepatitis. Hepatitis Awareness Month seeks to dispel any negative societal stigma associated with hepatitis.

This month’s goal is to raise awareness of the many care and treatment options available for all hepatitis types. Many individuals are still unaware of how to handle this sickness.

🙂 How To Observe Hepatitis Awareness Month

⚡ Spread awareness on social media

⚡ Take part in community walks
The American Liver Foundation organizes multiple events across the United States to raise awareness. Two popular activities they sponsor are the Liver Life Walk and the Liver Life Challenge. Show your support by taking part in these events.

⚡ Volunteer at a local health center
Make use of social media to raise awareness about hepatitis. Share articles and links from your feeds.Use the hashtags #HepatitisAwarenessMonth, #HepatitisTestingDay, and #HepatitisAwarenessDay to spread awareness.

📅 When is Hepatitis Awareness Month?

You can view all 🔗 May holidays, including 🔗 Health and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about Hepatitis Awareness Month. So be sure to check back soon.