Hepatitis C is a little less infectious and has fewer cases worldwide (170 million with 3-4 million new cases each year). However, hepatitis C is more likely to become a chronic infection that will cause cirrhosis and cancer problems.
The World Hepatitis Alliance is working in partnership with The World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness of Hepatitis.
Hepatitis B and C are both ‘silent viruses’ meaning people can be infected for years but have no idea. Left untreated hepatitis B and c can lead to liver scarring (cirrhosis) causing risk of life threatening illness such as abnormal bleeding, liver cancer, liver failure and death.
The WHO recognises hepatitis B as one of the most common viral infections in the world. They estimate 2 billion people have been infected with hepatitis B and 500 000-700 000 people will die of this disease each year.
It is highly infectious, 50-100 times more infectious than HIV! In some cases hepatitis B will go away by itself within six months. However in those whose disease becomes chronic, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer can develop, in some cases after only five years.
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