July 28 is World Hepatitis Day and ‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait’ is the Australian 2022 theme. This recognizes that in the ongoing Covid-19 epidemic, Australians can’t wait to act on eliminating hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. It can be brought on by alcohol, drugs, viruses and other toxins. Viral hepatitis refers to hepatitis resulting from infection of the liver by the hepatitis A, B, C, D or E viruses. Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common.
HepatitisSA
In Australia, it is estimated that there are more than 220,000 people living with hepatitis B, with around a quarter who have not been diagnosed and are unaware of their infection.
Although there is an effective and affordable cure for hepatitis C, it is estimated that over 115,000 Australian people are infected.
The Health Museum Collection holds a photograph of Eric Gowans and Allison Jilbert who were conducting research in the Hepatitis Research Laboratory. Research into hepatitis was done by the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science Department of Medical Virology.
For further information:
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Royal Adelaide Hospital
World Hepatitis Day – #HepCantWaitAu
By Margot Way, CALHN Health Museum