World Hepatitis Day - July 28

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused due to a virus.

While you may think that this disease is not so common, statistics say otherwise- viral hepatitis is one of the leading causes of deaths globally, accounting for 1.34 million deaths per year.

That number is equivalent to the statistics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria.

Moreover, there are many different kinds of hepatitis viruses- A, B, C, D and E.

Are you at risk for hepatitis? Check out the symptoms and habits mentioned below.

You are at risk for hepatitis A if you:
1) You are a man who has sex with men
2) You work in a child care centre/attend child care
3) Are HIV positive
4) Use illegal drugs (injectable and non-injectable)
5) Live with another person who has hepatitis A
6) Have oral-anal contact with a person who has hepatitis A

You are at risk for hepatitis B if you:
1) Share needles during IV use
2) Are an infant born to an infected mother
3) Are a man who has sex with men
4) Are exposed to human blood in your job
5) Live with someone who has chronic HBV

You are at risk for hepatitis C if you:
1) Have HIV
2) Are an infant born to an infected mother
3) Are exposed to human blood in your job
4) Use illegal drugs (injectable and non-injectable)
5) Have received a piercing or tattoo in an unsanitary environment with unsterile equipment
6) Were ever in prison

You are at risk for hepatitis D if you:
1) Have hepatitis b
2) Are a man who has sex with men
3) Receive blood transfusions often
4) Use illegal drugs (injectable and non-injectable)