Assistant Professor Türkan Tüzün from the Department of Infectious Diseases at PAU Hospitals stated:

“World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28 to raise public awareness about viral hepatitis and to emphasize the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and regular follow-up. Hepatitis is, in its broadest sense, inflammation of the liver. Although it can develop for different reasons, viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses constitutes a significant disease burden worldwide.

The World Health Organization’s theme for World Hepatitis Day 2026 emphasizes the need to remove barriers that prevent people from accessing hepatitis prevention, testing, treatment, and care services. These barriers include lack of information and awareness, stigma, financial difficulties, limited access to healthcare services, and delays in diagnosis and treatment. World Hepatitis Day is not only a day of awareness; it is also a strong call to action to reduce preventable diseases and deaths and to ensure that more people receive timely diagnosis and treatment.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C, in particular, may progress for many years without causing any symptoms. While a person may feel completely healthy, silent liver damage may develop, and the disease may become apparent years later as cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Therefore, the assumption that ‘if I do not have jaundice, I cannot have hepatitis’ is incorrect. The presence of an infection can only be determined through appropriate blood tests.

One of the most important aspects of the problem is that many people are unaware that they are infected or, despite receiving a diagnosis, cannot access regular follow-up and treatment. In hepatitis C, more than 95% of patients can achieve a sustained cure with oral medications, yet access to diagnosis and treatment remains inadequate worldwide.

Not every patient diagnosed with hepatitis B needs to start medication immediately. However, the absence of an immediate need for treatment does not mean that the disease is unimportant or that follow-up is unnecessary. At our Infectious Diseases outpatient clinic, we evaluate our patients not on the basis of a single blood test, but by considering viral load, liver enzymes, ultrasonography findings, additional examinations when necessary, and other risk factors. We initiate appropriate antiviral treatment in patients who require it and continue to monitor patients who do not currently require treatment at regular intervals.

Another reason why viral hepatitis remains an important public health concern is that new infections and hepatitis-related deaths continue despite these diseases being largely preventable and treatable. Therefore, informing the public, encouraging people at risk to undergo testing, ensuring regular follow-up of diagnosed patients, and expanding effective prevention measures are of great importance.

One of the most common misconceptions in society is that all types of hepatitis are transmitted in the same way. However, the transmission routes of hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses differ from one another.”

Assistant Professor Türkan Tüzün: “Early diagnosis saves lives; accurate information, vaccination, and effective treatment can change the future.”

Stating that vaccination is one of the most effective ways of preventing hepatitis, Assistant Professor Türkan Tüzün continued:

“Safe and effective vaccines are available against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, while there is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C. Individuals who are unsure about their vaccination status or who are in a risk group should consult healthcare providers to determine whether vaccination is necessary.

It is particularly important that infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after birth. Pregnant women should also be screened for hepatitis B. When hepatitis B is detected in a mother, evaluation by a specialist during pregnancy, antiviral treatment for those who require it, and administration of the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin to the newborn immediately after birth can greatly reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

To prevent hepatitis A and E, hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food. Safe drinking water should be used; fruits and vegetables should be washed appropriately, and meat and other animal products should be adequately cooked. In places where water safety cannot be ensured, it is also important to avoid consuming water or ice from unknown sources.

To prevent hepatitis B, C, and D, personal items that may come into contact with blood should not be shared. Toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, needles, syringes, lancets, and blood glucose monitoring equipment should be used individually. Procedures such as tattooing, piercing, and acupuncture should only be performed at reliable facilities that comply with hygiene and sterilization standards. During medical and dental procedures, attention should be paid to the use of single-use or appropriately sterilized equipment.

Avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse and using condoms when appropriate are also important in preventing hepatitis B. Partners and household members of people diagnosed with hepatitis B should consult a healthcare provider for evaluation. People who are not immune to hepatitis B should be vaccinated.

Anyone who experiences a potentially risky exposure, such as contact with blood, a needlestick injury, or unprotected sexual intercourse, should seek medical attention without delay. It is important for people who believe they have been exposed to a hepatitis risk, have a history of contact with blood, or have unexplained elevated liver enzymes to consult a healthcare provider. An important part of prevention is identifying infections at an early stage and initiating the necessary follow-up and treatment in a timely manner.

The most important message I would like to give the public is this: ‘Hepatitis may progress silently for many years. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented through vaccination, while in hepatitis B and C, the risks of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and hepatitis-related death can be substantially reduced through early diagnosis, regular follow-up, and appropriate treatment.’

The assumption that ‘I have no symptoms, so I do not need to be tested’ is incorrect. Individuals who have experienced a potential hepatitis exposure or believe they may be at risk should consult a healthcare provider for evaluation. People who are not immune to hepatitis B should be vaccinated, while patients diagnosed with hepatitis should not neglect their medical appointments and treatment.

Being diagnosed with hepatitis B or C does not mean that the disease cannot be controlled. Today, hepatitis C can be treated with oral medications, with the virus being completely cleared from the body in more than 95% of patients. Hepatitis B can be controlled through regular follow-up and antiviral treatment when necessary; the progression of cirrhosis can be slowed and the risk of liver cancer can be reduced.

At our outpatient clinic, we provide diagnosis, treatment, and regular follow-up services for patients with hepatitis. People living with hepatitis should be approached with accurate information rather than fear and prejudice. Hepatitis B and C are not transmitted through hugging, sharing a meal, or working in the same workplace. Excluding patients may delay their access to testing, follow-up, and treatment services. Therefore, it is important to combat both viral hepatitis and the misinformation and stigma surrounding these diseases.

Early diagnosis saves lives; accurate information, vaccination, and effective treatment can change the future.”