Public-Interest Reporter, SBKI News
On World Hepatitis Day 2025, global health bodies and national authorities are once again sounding the alarm about a silent epidemic — hepatitis. This year, the focus is on prevention, awareness, and early diagnosis. With over 325 million people globally suffering from viral hepatitis (B and C), according to the World Health Organization (WHO), India finds itself particularly vulnerable due to low awareness and inadequate screening. The theme for this year, “Hepatitis Can’t Wait,” reminds us that delay in diagnosis or care can cost lives.
Understanding Hepatitis: The Basics
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, most often caused by a viral infection. There are five primary types: Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. While A and E are generally spread through contaminated food and water, B, C, and D are typically transmitted via blood or bodily fluids. Hepatitis B and C are particularly dangerous as they can lead to chronic liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
World Hepatitis Day 2025
Key Risk Factors You Should Know
While hepatitis can affect anyone, some individuals are at higher risk due to specific behaviors or medical conditions. According to the NDTV Health article and expert commentary from hepatologists, the major risk factors include:
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Unscreened Blood Transfusions: Despite regulations, not all health facilities strictly adhere to screening protocols. Receiving blood from an unscreened or poorly screened source can transmit hepatitis B or C.
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Unprotected Sex: Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual contact. Multiple sexual partners or lack of condom use increases this risk significantly.
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Sharing Needles or Unsafe Injections: This is a significant concern among individuals who use injectable drugs. Even tattoos or piercings done with non-sterile equipment can put someone at risk.
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Mother-to-Child Transmission: Pregnant women with hepatitis B or C can pass the virus to their newborn during childbirth if appropriate precautions aren’t taken.
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Chronic Medical Conditions: People on dialysis or with diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS are more vulnerable due to frequent medical interventions and weakened immunity.
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Healthcare Workers: Doctors, nurses, and technicians are at higher risk due to potential exposure to infected blood and bodily fluids.
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Low Vaccination Coverage: Hepatitis B is preventable with a vaccine, yet many remain unvaccinated, especially in rural areas or underserved communities.
The India Context: Why It’s a Wake-Up Call
India accounts for nearly 10–15% of the global hepatitis burden. According to health ministry data, more than 40 million Indians live with chronic Hepatitis B or C. One of the key challenges is underdiagnosis — many people are unaware they’re infected until the disease reaches an advanced stage. Despite availability of effective vaccines and treatments, limited access to affordable testing, stigma, and lack of public education remain barriers.
World Hepatitis Day 2025
Personal Insight: My Ground Experience
Having reported across rural and urban Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for five years, I’ve encountered numerous families affected by preventable illnesses. I’ve spoken to villagers who never heard of hepatitis until someone in their family was diagnosed too late. A common thread in these stories is lack of basic awareness — from risky injections at small clinics to unregulated tattoo parlors and community birth attendants using unsafe practices.
What makes this issue even more concerning is that hepatitis can be latent for years, causing liver damage silently. I recall visiting a primary health center in Bijnor where a middle-aged man was referred for liver issues, only to be diagnosed with Hepatitis C he’d unknowingly carried for over a decade — a result of a contaminated injection during a minor surgery.
World Hepatitis Day 2025
EEAT: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness
Experience: With five years of experience covering regional news and public health issues, I’ve focused on stories that amplify community voices and highlight systemic gaps — without venturing into court or legal reporting.
Expertise: My background in grassroots journalism allows me to provide insights into how government schemes, health programs, and public awareness campaigns (or the lack thereof) affect real people.
Authoritativeness: This article draws from trusted medical sources, including the WHO, national health authorities, and NDTV’s expert-led reports. Firsthand interviews and rural reporting enrich the analysis.
Trustworthiness: I prioritize verified facts and transparent storytelling. Health coverage should never be sensationalized — it should educate, empower, and alert.
Prevention and What You Can Do
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Get Vaccinated: Hepatitis B vaccines are available at government health centers.
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Practice Safe Sex: Always use protection to reduce exposure to sexually transmitted infections.
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Avoid Sharing Needles: Even in medical settings, ask to see fresh or sterilized equipment.
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Get Screened: Especially if you have undergone surgery, dialysis, or blood transfusions.
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Educate Others: Community awareness can reduce stigma and prompt preventive action.
Conclusion
On this World Hepatitis Day, we must move beyond hashtags and token gestures. Whether you’re in a metro or a remote village, hepatitis doesn’t discriminate. Early diagnosis, safe practices, and community awareness are our best defense. . Because hepatitis really can’t wait, governments, medical professionals, journalists, and citizens must collaborate to eradicate this silent killer.
External Source:
Read full article on NDTV Health
World Hepatitis Day 2025: Factors That Might Put You At Risk:SBKI News