World Hepatitis Day: Why Hepatitis Awareness Still Matters in Bahrain?
World Hepatitis Day on July 28 is an important reminder that hepatitis remains a major public health issue, not only globally but also here in the Gulf, where early testing and treatment can make a significant difference to long-term liver health.
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by viral infections such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The challenge is that these infections often cause no obvious symptoms in their early stages.
Someone can feel completely well while silent liver damage is developing over many years. By the time symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal swelling, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss appear, the liver may already be significantly affected.
Overcoming barriers through greater Hepatitis awareness
In Bahrain, as in many countries, boosting general hepatitis awareness is one of the biggest barriers to disease control. People may not know they are at risk, may not realize they should be tested, or may assume that normal day-to-day health means there is no problem. But hepatitis is not always visible.
It may first come to light through an abnormal blood test, a family screening program, or an assessment for another digestive or liver concern.
Pediatric & Adult Expert Insights Dr. Kaiser Raja, Clinical Director and Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai, says World Hepatitis Day is a useful opportunity to shift the focus toward prevention, diagnosis, and raising overall hepatitis awareness. “One of the biggest misconceptions about hepatitis is that if you feel fine, your liver must be fine,” he says. “In reality, chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C can remain silent for years. Early testing gives us the chance to diagnose infection, assess the liver properly, and start treatment or monitoring before serious complications develop.” |
Treatment advances & prevention
That matters because untreated hepatitis can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and, in some cases, liver cancer. The good news is that modern care has changed the outlook for many patients:
- Hepatitis C awareness & cure: Hepatitis C can often be cured with short courses of direct-acting antiviral treatment. Building greater hepatitis C awareness ensures patients undergo simple blood tests to access these life-saving cures.
- Hepatitis B awareness & management: Hepatitis B can be monitored and managed effectively to reduce the risk of long-term liver damage significantly. Increasing hepatitis B awareness helps promote routine vaccination and regular screening for at-risk individuals.
For people in Bahrain, the message this World Hepatitis Day is straightforward: If you have ever been told you have abnormal liver tests, have a family history of hepatitis, received blood transfusions in the past, or simply have concerns about your liver health, it is worth seeking medical advice rather than waiting for symptoms.
Specialist liver care in Bahrain
King’s Bahrain Clinic supports patients who need specialist review for hepatitis, abnormal liver blood tests, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and other liver concerns, with access to gastroenterology and hepatology expertise through the wider King’s network. If you are concerned about your liver health or have been advised to seek further assessment, you can contact King’s Bahrain Clinic to arrange an appointment.
About King’s College Hospital London – Dubai and Bahrain Clinic The long-standing relationship between King’s and the UAE dates back to 1979, when a donation from His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan supported the creation of the King’s Liver Research Centre in London, now one of the world’s leading liver centres. Today, King’s College Hospital Dubai is home to Dubai’s only liver transplant centre and has established Centers of Excellence in Breast Treatment, Endoscopy, Orthopedics, Surgical Proctology, and Spine Surgery. King’s College Hospital London – Bahrain offers a comprehensive range of services from primary care to complex tertiary treatment, supported by largely UK-trained consultants working within an integrated, multidisciplinary care model. Through King’s Bahrain Clinic, patients in Bahrain also have access to specialist consultations and coordinated care connected to the wider King’s network. For more information, visit kingscollegehospitaldubai.com. For media inquiries, please contact: King’s College Hospital London – Bahrain Media Relations |
FAQs
World Hepatitis Day is commemorated globally on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, encourage routine screening, and honour Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed its first vaccine.
Both are viral infections affecting the liver, but they differ in transmission and care:
Hepatitis B: Transmitted through infected bodily fluids, blood, or mother-to-child at birth. It is preventable with a vaccine and can be managed long term.
Hepatitis C: Transmitted primarily through direct blood-to-blood contact. While no vaccine exists, increasing hepatitis C awareness is critical because modern antiviral medication can cure over 95% of cases.
Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C often progress without noticeable symptoms for years or decades, silently damaging liver tissue until severe stages like cirrhosis or liver failure develop.
Screening starts with simple blood tests, such as liver function panels and viral antibody/antigen tests. Further evaluation may include specialized non-invasive liver scans (like FibroScan) to assess liver stiffness and fibrosis.
Testing is recommended for anyone with unexplained fatigue, abnormal liver blood tests, a family history of liver disease, a history of past blood transfusions, or those who have lived in regions with high viral hepatitis prevalence.
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