Blog - Ruby General Hospital, Kolkata

About : World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on 28 th  July to raise global awareness about the virus Hepatitis which causes inflammation of the liver and vaccine individuals against the Hepatitis diseases. This day is the birthday of Baruch Samuel Blumberg, an American physician who discovered Hepatitis B and later developed the first Hepatitis B vaccine. The theme for World Hepatitis Day is ‘I can’t wait’ which highlights the need to accelerate the fight against viral hepatitis and the importance of testing. Most acute hepatitis infections cause mild disease and even go undetected, but, in some cases they can lead to complications and prove fatal. Types of Hepatitis : There are five hepatitis viruses. They are : 1)   Autoimmune Hepatitis – It is a long term or chronic inflammatory liver disease. This occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the liver cells causing inflammation, swelling and liver damage. 2)   Hepatitis A – It is a vaccine preventable liver infection cause

Introduction : We all know that liver diseases are fast being recognized as a public health concern in India. Cirrhosis of liver and chronic liver diseases are increasing progressively as causes of mortality in India with the statistics revealing that around 10 lakh patients of liver cirrhosis are newly diagnosed every year in our country. According to World Health Organization, liver disease is the tenth most common cause of death in India accounting for 18.3 % of all cirrhosis deaths globally.   Types of liver diseases : ·          Viral Hepatitis like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, Hepatitis E ·          Fatty liver disease and cirrhosis ·          Liver cancer ·          Bile duct cancer ·          Liver cell adenoma ·    Inherited liver disorders like Hemochromatosis, Hyperoxaluria, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and Wilson’s disease ·    Immune system problems like autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis.   Causes

About  : The word “Zoonoses” is derived from the Greek word ‘Zoon’ meaning animal and ‘Noses’ meaning sickness. World Zoonoses Day is observed annually on the 6 th   of July worldwide to raise awareness of the dangers of Zoonotic diseases. This day aims to shed light on diseases that originate in animals that can be transmitted to humans and also commemorates the anniversary of first ever vaccine given for any zoonotic disease in 1885. Zoonotic disease : Zoonotic disease is a type of infectious disease caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacteria parasites and fungi and can spread from animals to humans and vice versa, either with direct contact with animals or indirectly, vector-borne or food-borne. The diseases can be minor short term illnesses or may become major life changing illnesses. History  : French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who is known for his theory of pasteurization had successfully administered the first ever vaccination for a zoonotic disease to a man b