INDIANAPOLIS — World Hepatitis Day is July 28, with a goal of bringing awareness to the preventable disease. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 400 million people have viral hepatitis.

“Most people who have hepatitis don’t know that they are infected,” said Jennifer Walthall, M.D, M.P.H., deputy state health commissioner. “Sadly, over one million people die from viral hepatitis every year worldwide.”

Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. The most common forms of the virus include hepatitis A, B and C. Hepatitis A is spread through ingestion of contaminated food or water, while hepatitis B and C are both spread through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids.

Acute hepatitis infections, especially hepatitis A, can be life-threatening. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination. The vaccine is recommended for all children, travelers to certain countries and people at high risk for infection.

In 2014, 20 cases of hepatitis A, 126 cases of hepatitis B and 6,628 cases of hepatitis C were reported to the Indiana State Department of Health. You can view hepatitis C rates in your county at www.in.gov/isdh/26680.htm.

“Hepatitis can lead to liver disease and liver cancer,” said Dr. Walthall. “Knowing your status can help prevent serious problems and stop the spread of disease to others.”

Viral hepatitis is preventable. People can lower their risk by practicing good hygiene, safe sex and avoiding sharing injection drug equipment such as needles. There are also vaccines against hepatitis A and B.

It is estimated that 4,000 people die each day from some form of viral hepatitis. The social media hashtags #4000voices and #PreventHepatitis are being used on Facebook and Twitter to help raise awareness of the disease and those who die from it.

Find out your risk for hepatitis by taking the hepatitis risk test at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis and talk to your doctor about getting tested.

For more information about World Hepatitis Day, visit worldhepatitisday.org.

Source: Indiana State Department of Health