World Hepatitis Day: Raising Awareness to Provide Better Protection

This month, at Keydiag®, we’ve decided to highlight World Hepatitis Day, which is observed every year on July 28. This day is an opportunity to raise public awareness about this disease centered on a powerful message: “Raise awareness to better protect.”

Hepatitis and Its Prevention

According to the Pasteur Institute, nearly 2 billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus at some point in their lives. In about 1 in 10 cases, the infection progresses to a chronic form. As for hepatitis C, an estimated 71 million people are living with a chronic infection, which is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths each year.

Prevention remains the most effective way to combat viral hepatitis. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccination against several infectious diseases, including certain types of viral hepatitis—notably hepatitis A and B—when indicated. Combined with screening and early treatment, vaccination helps limit the transmission of viruses and reduce the risk of complications.

From hepatitis to cirrhosis

Chronic viral hepatitis can progress to cirrhosis. This serious liver disease is characterized by the gradual and irreversible destruction of liver tissue. Once established, cirrhosis cannot be reversed. However, early treatment can slow its progression and prevent certain complications.

In France, cirrhosis is responsible for approximately 16,000 deaths per year. It is also estimated that 500,000 people are living with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is often diagnosed incidentally, during an examination conducted for another reason. This sometimes late diagnosis underscores the importance of screening and follow-up for at-risk patients, particularly those with chronic viral hepatitis.

In this context, medical imaging plays a vital role in liver assessment, patient follow-up, and the early detection of potential complications.

The Role of Keydiag®

At Keymaging, we are convinced that the best defense against hepatitis is prevention. That is the essence of our message: “Raise awareness to better protect.”

When the disease is already present, we support radiologists in their daily practice through our LI-RADS®-structured liver MRI report, designed to diagnose and characterize liver lesions in patients with cirrhosis. Our goal is to contribute to a standardized interpretation of exams and more consistent patient care.

References:

• Pasteur Institute. Viral Hepatitis: Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical/fiches-maladies/hepatites-virales
• Paul Brousse Hepatobiliary Center. Viral Hepatitis https://www.centre-hepato-biliaire.org/maladies-foie/hepatites-virales.html
• Health Insurance (ameli.fr). Liver cirrhosis: definition and causes https://www.ameli.fr/assure/sante/themes/cirrhose-foie/cirrhose-foie-definition-causes#:~:text=Cirrhosis%20is%20a%20disease,or%20a%20rare%20disease
• Health Insurance (ameli.fr). Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Progression of Cirrhosis https://www.ameli.fr/assure/sante/themes/cirrhose-foie/symptomes-diagnostic-evolution
• World Health Organization. New data on hepatitis underscore the urgent need for a global response https://www.who.int/fr/news/item/21-04-2017-new-hepatitis-data-highlight-need-for-urgent-global-response