Hepatitis awareness is an important part of school education, especially in high schools. Hepatitis B&C play significant role in our lives. Today’s school children are in the risk group of these two totally unrelated viruses. Policy makers usually recommend schools to contribute to disseminating of information and education on viral hepatitis. Thus, such education would be a sort of social vaccine and serve as a preventing tool.

More than 4,5 million Americans have chronic Hepatitis B or C, which are the major reasons for liver cancer.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. We all know that it is vital organ that is important for nutrition and blood filtering.
Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medicines and medical conditions can cause hepatitis, but it is most often caused by a virus. Hepatitis B and C can develop into lifelong, chronic illness, unlike Hepatitis A, which appears in acute form only.

Hepatitis B or C can be spread through blood or semen. This usually happens through sexual contact or sharing needles. It can not be spread through hugging, kissing, holding hands, breastfeeding, coughing or sneezing.

Viral Hepatitis can be prevented. To prevent the Hepatitis B one can get vaccinated. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. This is why one should be careful not to share needles or other equipment to inject drugs or steroids, not to use personal items that can have contact with infected blood, not to get tattoos or body piercing at unlicensed facilities.

Viral hepatitis is very serious. Over 15% of people with this infection develop liver damage, cirrhosis or liver cancer. When the virus is detected early, many people can get lifesaving treatment that can limit the illness development and prevent cancer deaths.