World Hepatitis Day, observed on 28th July, serves as a global reminder to address the challenges posed by viral hepatitis. Scotland, like many other regions, faces significant issues related to viral hepatitis and the resulting liver damage. This blog explores the impact of viral hepatitis in Scotland and the ongoing efforts to combat liver damage.

World Hepatitis Day brings together individuals, organisations, and governments worldwide to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and its devastating impact on liver health. The campaign promotes prevention measures, testing, and treatment to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. This year’s theme, “We’re Not Waiting,” emphasises the urgent need to accelerate efforts to combat the disease and reduce its associated liver damage. (1)

Scotland faces significant challenges in combating viral hepatitis, with hepatitis C being a major concern. The country had one of the highest rates of hepatitis C infection in Europe, affecting approximately 21,000 individuals.(2) Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through shared needles among people who inject drugs. Scotland has implemented comprehensive strategies, including the Hepatitis C Action Plan, to tackle the disease and aims to eradicate it by 2024.(3) These efforts focus on prevention, testing, and treatment. This approach aims to reduce the transmission of hepatitis C, improve diagnosis rates, and enhance treatment outcomes, ultimately preventing further liver damage.

Viral hepatitis, if left untreated, can lead to severe liver damage. Chronic viral infections, such as hepatitis B and C, can cause inflammation, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and, in some cases, liver cancer. Liver damage progressively impairs the liver’s ability to function properly, impacting digestion, detoxification, and the synthesis of essential proteins. Additionally, liver damage can have wide-ranging effects on overall health, including fatigue, jaundice, ascites (abdominal fluid accumulation), and hepatic encephalopathy (a decline in brain function). It is crucial to detect and treat viral hepatitis promptly to prevent or halt liver damage, preserving liver function and minimizing long-term complications.(4)

World Hepatitis Day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about the challenges posed by viral hepatitis and liver damage. In Scotland, efforts are underway to combat viral hepatitis through prevention, testing, and treatment initiatives. These endeavors aim to minimise liver damage, improve health outcomes, and enhance the overall well-being of affected individuals.

If you are affected by hepatitis and would like to book in for a liver health check, with an examination using the FibroScan device, click here.

References:

(1) www.who.int. (Accessed July 2023). World Hepatitis Day 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hepatitis-day/2023 [Accessed 17 Jul. 2023].

(2) Scotland’s Hepatitis C Action Plan: Achievements of the First Decade and Proposals for a Scottish Government Strategy (2019) for the Elimination of both Infection and Disease Taking Advantage of Outstanding New Therapies. (2019). Available at: https://hpspubsrepo.blob.core.windows.net/hps-website/nss/2840/documents/1_hcv-elimination-Scotland-v2.pdf.

(3) www.gov.scot. (Accessed July 2023). Eliminating hepatitis C – gov.scot. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.scot/news/eliminating-hepatitis-c/

(4) British Liver Trust. (Accessed July 2023). Viral Hepatitis. [online] Available at: https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/viralhepatitis/.

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