What is World Hepatitis Day and when is it observed?

World Hepatitis Day is a global health awareness event observed every year on 28 July. It is designated by the World Health Organization to raise awareness of viral hepatitis — a group of infectious diseases that affect the liver — and to drive action toward the global goal of eliminating hepatitis B and C as public health threats by 2030.

How often should adults get a liver function test?

Adults with risk factors — including obesity, type 2 diabetes, regular alcohol use, a history of hepatitis exposure, or a family history of liver disease — should discuss annual liver function testing with their gastroenterologist. Healthy adults with no risk factors may be tested less frequently, but a baseline LFT is advisable from age 30 onwards. Consult the gastroenterology team at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune for personalised guidance.

Can hepatitis B and C be cured completely?

Hepatitis C can now be cured in the majority of cases with a course of direct-acting antiviral medications, typically taken over 8 to 12 weeks. Hepatitis B cannot currently be eradicated from the body in most cases, but it can be effectively managed with antiviral therapy to suppress the virus and prevent liver damage. Early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes for both conditions. Use the booking form on this page to consult our gastroenterology specialists.

Liver Health Tests | World Hepatitis Day 2026

World Hepatitis Day 2026: Liver Health Tests Every Adult Should Know

What is World Hepatitis Day 2026 and why does it matter for your liver health?

World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on 28 July. In 2026, it serves as a global call to action to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat. Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune urges every adult to use this occasion to understand their liver health status through timely screening and appropriate liver function tests.

Note: Hepatitis B and C together affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Many carry the infection for years without symptoms — making routine screening the single most important step you can take today.

Viral hepatitis — inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis viruses — is a significant cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer globally. World Hepatitis Day activities in 2026 focus on expanding access to testing, raising awareness of the silent nature of the disease, and encouraging communities to act before complications develop.

What is the theme for World Hepatitis Day 2026?

The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2026 is centred on accelerating elimination efforts — reinforcing the global commitment to diagnose, treat, and ultimately eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. The slogan driving this year's campaign emphasises that elimination is possible, but only if testing and treatment gaps are urgently closed.

Key focus areas for 2026 World Hepatitis Day activities include:

Expanding community-level hepatitis testing access
Reducing stigma around hepatitis B and C diagnosis
Encouraging governments and healthcare systems to fund elimination programmes
Promoting vaccination for hepatitis A and B
Connecting newly diagnosed individuals to care pathways

At Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune, the gastroenterology team supports these goals by offering comprehensive diagnostic services for liver disease, including hepatitis screening panels.

Which blood tests check liver health and detect hepatitis?

A liver health assessment typically involves a combination of blood tests. Understanding what each test measures helps you have an informed conversation with your gastroenterologist at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune.

Test	What It Measures	Relevance
Liver Function Test (LFT)	ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, albumin, total protein	Assesses overall liver health and detects inflammation or damage
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)	Presence of hepatitis B virus	Confirms active hepatitis B infection
Anti-HCV Antibody Test	Antibodies to hepatitis C virus	Screens for hepatitis C exposure
HCV RNA (PCR)	Active hepatitis C viral load	Confirms active infection and guides treatment
Prothrombin Time (PT/INR)	Blood clotting ability	Reflects liver's synthetic function; elevated in advanced disease
Ultrasound Abdomen	Liver size, texture, and structure	Detects fatty liver, cirrhosis, or masses

Your gastroenterologist may recommend additional tests such as a FibroScan (liver stiffness measurement) or liver biopsy depending on initial results.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B and C — and which hepatitis is called the silent killer?

Hepatitis C is widely referred to as the "silent killer" because most people infected with the hepatitis C virus experience no symptoms for decades. By the time symptoms appear, significant liver damage — including cirrhosis or liver cancer — may already be present. Hepatitis B can also remain asymptomatic in its chronic form.

When symptoms do occur in hepatitis B or C, they may include:

Persistent fatigue and weakness
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Dark-coloured urine
Pale or clay-coloured stools
Abdominal pain or discomfort, particularly in the upper right side
Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
Joint pain
Unexplained weight loss

Warning: The absence of symptoms does not mean the liver is healthy. Adults with known risk factors — including a history of blood transfusions before 1992, unprotected exposure, or a family history of hepatitis — should seek screening regardless of how they feel.

If you recognise any of these symptoms, consult the gastroenterology team at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune promptly.

What are the different types of hepatitis every adult should know about?

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. There are several distinct types, each with a different cause, transmission route, and clinical course:

Hepatitis A — Spread through contaminated food and water. Usually self-limiting; a safe and effective vaccine is available.
Hepatitis B — Transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child. Can become chronic; vaccine-preventable.
Hepatitis C — Primarily blood-borne. No vaccine available, but highly effective antiviral treatments now exist.
Hepatitis D — Only occurs in people already infected with hepatitis B. Co-infection worsens outcomes.
Hepatitis E — Waterborne, similar to hepatitis A. Particularly dangerous in pregnancy.
Alcoholic Hepatitis — Caused by excessive alcohol consumption; not viral in origin.
Autoimmune Hepatitis — The immune system attacks liver cells; requires specialist management.

Viral hepatitis types B and C account for the majority of chronic liver disease cases and are the primary focus of World Hepatitis Day 2026 elimination goals.

What does Deccan Hardikar Hospital recommend for liver health this World Hepatitis Day?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune — a NABH Pre-Accredited superspeciality hospital with five decades of surgical and clinical excellence — recommends the following practical steps for every adult this World Hepatitis Day 2026:

Get screened: Adults who have never been tested for hepatitis B or C should request a screening panel from their doctor, particularly if they have identifiable risk factors.
Know your vaccination status: Hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable. Confirm with your physician whether you have completed the full vaccination course.
Request a Liver Function Test (LFT): An annual LFT is a reasonable baseline for adults over 30, especially those with diabetes, obesity, or a history of alcohol use.
Limit alcohol intake: Alcohol is a direct hepatotoxin. Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption measurably reduces the risk of alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis.
Maintain a healthy weight: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly common in urban populations. A balanced diet and regular physical activity help protect liver function.
Avoid sharing needles or personal items: Razors, toothbrushes, and needles can transmit hepatitis B and C.
Consult before taking supplements or herbal remedies: Several over-the-counter supplements and herbal preparations carry hepatotoxic risk. Always inform your gastroenterologist of everything you take.

The hospital's gastroenterology department and diagnostics centre are equipped to support comprehensive liver health assessments. Early detection remains the most effective tool against chronic liver disease.

Book a Liver Health Consultation at Deccan Hardikar Hospital, Pune

Use the booking form on this page to schedule your hepatitis screening or liver function test with our gastroenterology team.

1160/61, University Rd, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411005

World Hepatitis Day is a global health awareness event observed every year on 28 July. It is designated by the World Health Organization to raise awareness of viral hepatitis — a group of infectious diseases that affect the liver — and to drive action toward the global goal of eliminating hepatitis B and C as public health threats by 2030.
The World Hepatitis Day 2026 theme focuses on accelerating the elimination of viral hepatitis, emphasising that elimination is achievable if testing and treatment gaps are urgently addressed. The campaign calls on governments, healthcare providers, and communities to expand access to hepatitis screening, reduce stigma, and connect diagnosed individuals to effective care and treatment.
Hepatitis C is commonly called the silent killer because it typically causes no noticeable symptoms for many years or even decades after infection. During this time, the virus can silently damage the liver, leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis B can also be asymptomatic. Routine blood screening is the only reliable way to detect these infections early.
Key liver health tests include the Liver Function Test (LFT), which measures enzymes such as ALT and AST along with bilirubin and albumin; the Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) test for active hepatitis B infection; and the Anti-HCV antibody test for hepatitis C exposure. A confirmatory HCV RNA PCR test is used to detect active hepatitis C viral load. An ultrasound abdomen may also be recommended.
Adults with risk factors — including obesity, type 2 diabetes, regular alcohol use, a history of hepatitis exposure, or a family history of liver disease — should discuss annual liver function testing with their gastroenterologist. Healthy adults with no risk factors may be tested less frequently, but a baseline LFT is advisable from age 30 onwards. Consult the gastroenterology team at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune for personalised guidance.
Hepatitis C can now be cured in the majority of cases with a course of direct-acting antiviral medications, typically taken over 8 to 12 weeks. Hepatitis B cannot currently be eradicated from the body in most cases, but it can be effectively managed with antiviral therapy to suppress the virus and prevent liver damage. Early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes for both conditions. Use the booking form on this page to consult our gastroenterology specialists.
World Hepatitis Day is a global health awareness event observed every year on 28 July. It is designated by the World Health Organization to raise awareness of viral hepatitis — a group of infectious diseases that affect the liver — and to drive action toward the global goal of eliminating hepatitis B and C as public health threats by 2030.
The World Hepatitis Day 2026 theme focuses on accelerating the elimination of viral hepatitis, emphasising that elimination is achievable if testing and treatment gaps are urgently addressed. The campaign calls on governments, healthcare providers, and communities to expand access to hepatitis screening, reduce stigma, and connect diagnosed individuals to effective care and treatment.
Hepatitis C is commonly called the silent killer because it typically causes no noticeable symptoms for many years or even decades after infection. During this time, the virus can silently damage the liver, leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis B can also be asymptomatic. Routine blood screening is the only reliable way to detect these infections early.
Key liver health tests include the Liver Function Test (LFT), which measures enzymes such as ALT and AST along with bilirubin and albumin; the Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) test for active hepatitis B infection; and the Anti-HCV antibody test for hepatitis C exposure. A confirmatory HCV RNA PCR test is used to detect active hepatitis C viral load. An ultrasound abdomen may also be recommended.
Adults with risk factors — including obesity, type 2 diabetes, regular alcohol use, a history of hepatitis exposure, or a family history of liver disease — should discuss annual liver function testing with their gastroenterologist. Healthy adults with no risk factors may be tested less frequently, but a baseline LFT is advisable from age 30 onwards. Consult the gastroenterology team at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune for personalised guidance.
Hepatitis C can now be cured in the majority of cases with a course of direct-acting antiviral medications, typically taken over 8 to 12 weeks. Hepatitis B cannot currently be eradicated from the body in most cases, but it can be effectively managed with antiviral therapy to suppress the virus and prevent liver damage. Early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes for both conditions. Use the booking form on this page to consult our gastroenterology specialists.

World Hepatitis Day 2026: Liver Health Tests Every Adult Should Know