HEPATITIS

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by viruses, alcohol, toxins, certain drugs or autoimmune diseases.
It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
Chronic hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma).

Type	Mode of Transmission	Nature of Infection	Vaccine Status	Key Fact
Hepatitis A (HAV)	Contaminated food and water (Faeco-oral)	Acute	Vaccine available	Common in areas with poor sanitation
Hepatitis B (HBV)	Blood, body fluids, sexual contact, mother-to-child	Acute and Chronic	Vaccine available	Only DNA hepatitis virus; major cause of liver cancer
Hepatitis C (HCV)	Blood (unsafe transfusions, contaminated needles)	Acute and Chronic	No vaccine	Leading cause of chronic hepatitis
Hepatitis D (HDV)	Blood and body fluids (only with Hepatitis B infection)	Acute and Chronic	No separate vaccine	Requires Hepatitis B virus for replication
Hepatitis E (HEV)	Contaminated food and water (Faeco-oral)	Acute	No routine vaccine	Severe disease in pregnant women

Launched: 28 July 2018 (World Hepatitis Day)
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Implemented under: National Health Mission (NHM)
Objective: Prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of all forms of viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D & E), with free diagnosis and treatment primarily for Hepatitis B & C.
Target: Contribute to SDG 3.3 by eliminating Hepatitis C by 2030, significantly reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with Hepatitis B & C, and reducing the burden of Hepatitis A & E.
Only DNA hepatitis virus: Hepatitis B.
World Hepatitis Day: 28 July.

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