Prevention of viral hepatitis infection depends upon reducing the risk of exposure to the virus in health-care settings and in higher risk populations, for example, people who inject drugs, and through sexual contact.

Due to the fact that acute viral hepatitis infection is usually asymptomatic, few people are diagnosed during the acute phase. In those people who go on to develop chronic viral hepatitis infection, the infection is also often undiagnosed because the infection remains asymptomatic until decades after infection when symptoms develop secondary to serious liver damage.

Hepatitis C does not always require treatment as the immune response in some people will clear the infection, and some people with chronic infection do not develop liver damage. Access to viral hepatitis treatment is improving, but remains limited. The World Health Organization has a goal of getting 80% of the persons living with viral hepatitis globally treated by 2030. Today, we stand at a dismal 13% treatment rate. Much remains to be done.

Dr. Tarek Hassanein, MD, Hepatology & Gastroenterology doctor affiliated with Sharp HealthCare, discusses patient centered care »

▪ Raise awareness, promote partnerships and mobilize resources
▪ Formulate evidence-based policy and data for action
▪ Prevent transmission
▪ Massive Increases in screening, care and treatment services