28 July Hepatitis Day, Altınbaş University Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özbek stated that according to the data of the World Health Organization (WHO), 354 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, and emphasized that hepatitis infections take 3500 people away from life every day.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data for 2024, approximately 354 million people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C virus. These two viruses cause serious health problems such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, causing 3500 people to die every day. Especially in countries like Türkiye, where there is a high number of refugees, obtaining accurate data is difficult, and experts emphasize that public awareness should be raised and preventive measures should be meticulously implemented.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özbek, Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at Altınbaş University, said on the occasion of Hepatitis Day that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can be triggered by both microbes and non-microbes. Emphasizing that especially viruses cause this inflammation and can be fatal, Prof. Dr. Özbek said, “Although many types of viruses can cause liver inflammation, five of them are more important than others. These are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D and Hepatitis E viruses. These viruses are grouped due to differences in transmission routes, the degree of damage they cause in the liver and changes in the severity of the diseases.”

Tendency to become chronic and risk of death

Stating that especially Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses tend to become chronic at serious rates, Özbek noted that these viruses can lead to consequences such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. Referring to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2024 reports, Özbek stated that 354 million people worldwide carry Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C virus. Stating that it is difficult to determine the exact numbers in our country, Özbek said, “It seems almost impossible to reach accurate figures, especially in regions where refugees are concentrated.”

Vaccines provide strong and effective protection

Stating that advanced vaccines provide strong and effective protection against Hepatitis B virus infection, Özbek emphasized that these vaccines are also protective against Hepatitis D virus and when administered to newborn babies after birth, they protect the babies of mothers with Hepatitis B infection from the disease. Prof. Özbek also stated that antivirus treatments used in Hepatitis B infections significantly reduce the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer and bring a long and healthy life.

Referring to HCV infection, Prof. Dr. Özbek stated that some patients with HCV infection can recover on their own, while those who cannot recover develop life-threatening health problems such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, and that although there is no vaccine for HCV, antivirus treatments are almost 95 percent effective and can prevent the death of patients from causes such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

“It ranks second in the list of infectious agents causing death”

Stating that according to the WHO report dated April 2024, 3500 people die every day due to hepatitis virus infections and 6000 new HBV and HCV infections are recorded, Özbek said that these figures place hepatitis viruses in second place after tuberculosis in the list of infectious agents causing death. Prof. Dr. Özbek said, “WHO requires strict adherence to preventive measures. Especially vaccines that are protective against HBV infections should be done meticulously. Expanding treatment in HCV patients indirectly reduces the spread of HBV infection.”

What measures should be taken?

Stating that awareness against hepatitis infections should be increased as a society, Özbek said that everyone should be aware of measures such as health workers using clean or sterile materials, taking protective measures during sexual intercourse, avoiding direct contact with blood and blood products. He also emphasized the importance of vaccinating adults as well as children and that blood tests should be performed every 5 years to measure the level of vaccine protection.

“Precautions are the key to a healthy and long life”

Prof. Dr. Özbek concluded: “WHO reports, which once again emphasize the importance of hepatitis virus infections, reveal that we need to increase this awareness as a society. Measures to be taken against hepatitis viruses are the key to a healthy and long life.”