More information about hepatitis in your language is available here.
Did you know that there are about 500,000 people in Germany with a viral hepatitis infection (B,C,D)1 – and that this goes undetected for a long time in many cases?
This can represent a risk not only for you but also for your family members and friends, since untreated hepatitis is not only contagious but can also lead to significant health damage. The good news is that hepatitis B, C and D can be tested and treated. In more than 95% of cases, hepatitis C can even be cured5.
Get tested for hepatitis B, C and D! Get clarity about your health and the health of your loved ones.
Take action now!
Viral hepatitis is characterised by an infection of the liver that is caused by viruses and can lead to inflammation of the liver. Five different types of hepatitis are known to date: hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.
From a medical standpoint, hepatitis B, C and D are of particular significance since they frequently become chronic and can lead to serious liver damage in affected persons. Hepatitis B, C and D are normally transmitted via the blood of an infected person or through the exchange of body fluids.
A hepatitis infection usually begins with rather mild, non-specific symptoms which may be reminiscent of a flu-like infection. Some affected persons suffer from prolonged periods of fatigue, joint pain, loss of appetite or a feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen, without ever knowing the cause of the symptoms. Yellowing of the skin and eyes generally only occurs in very severe cases.
For this reason, hepatitis frequently remains undetected and thus untreated for years, which can lead to serious liver damage to the point of cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer or organ failure.
In severe cases, viral hepatitis can lead to serious health damage. That is why it is all the more important and also more reassuring to obtain clarity in this regard. This is very easy to do:
Get tested by means of a simple blood test at your family doctor’s office. Hepatitis can be detected quickly and reliably. If you test positive for hepatitis B, C, or D, various treatment options are available to you. Hepatitis B and D can be treated with drugs and hepatitis C can even be cured in more than 95% of all cases5.
On the website meine-leber-und-ich.de/en/ you will find more information about hepatitis B, C and D in various languages.
• Diagnosed by a blood test.
• Protection through vaccination is possible.
• Can be treated with medication.
• Vaccination also protects other people from infection.
Hepatitis B is highly contagious and is among the most widespread infectious diseases in the world: Over 2 billion people have already been or are currently infected with the hepatitis B virus2. In adults, an acute hepatitis B infection generally clears up without any consequences; for chronic cases, drug treatment is possible. Since 1982 there has been a highly effective and well-tolerated vaccine for hepatitis B that is recommended even for infants from 2 months of age2,6.
• Diagnosed by a blood test.
• Still no vaccination possible.
• Can be cured with drug treatment in more than 95% of all cases5
Around 71 million people worldwide are affected by hepatitis C3. A differentiation is made between acute and chronic infections. While an acute infection heals on its own in up to 40% of cases and does not require treatment, about 20% of people with chronic hepatitis C develop liver cirrhosis3, which increases the risk of liver cancer. In these chronic cases, drug treatment is necessary. It is still possible to become infected with the hepatitis C virus again following successful treatment2.
• Diagnosed by a blood test.
• Only occurs together with hepatitis B!
• Protection through hepatitis B vaccination possible.
• Can be treated with medication.
Infection with the hepatitis D virus occurs worldwide and there are an estimated 48–60 million cases4. In contrast to other hepatitis infections, you can get infected with the hepatitis D virus only if you are also infected with hepatitis B. Therefore, anyone with hepatitis B should in principle also be tested for an infection with the hepatitis D virus. Since a hepatitis D infection can be very severe, hepatitis B vaccination is recommended since it offers effective protection against hepatitis B and D.
To live healthy and carefree, it is important to keep an eye on your own health. Would you like to know your hepatitis C/B/D status? A simple blood test can provide answers.
Free testing is possible, for example, through the Check Up 35 health screening. This is used for early disease detection and is not only fast and simple but is also covered by health insurance. As part of Check Up 35, people aged 35 and older with statutory health insurance can be tested once for hepatitis B and C. In the event of a positive hepatitis B result, a test for hepatitis D is also possible.
Contact your family doctor for more information.
Take advantage of free preventive care services, such as Check Up 35 for people aged 35 and older, and get a clear picture of your health!
Are you a doctor and would you like to explain the risk of hepatitis B/C/D to your patients?
We would be happy to send you our information material upon request. Together we can make a real contribution to controlling hepatitis B/C/D in Germany!
All additional information is available here.
References
1. Dudareva S. et al. Bundesgesundheitsbl 2022; 65: 149–158; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-021-03478-8 (last accessed in April 2023).
2. RKI-Ratgeber Hepatitis B und D. https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber_HepatitisB.html (last accessed in April 2023).
3. RKI-Ratgeber Hepatitis C. https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber_HepatitisC.html (last accessed in April 2023).
5. Sarrazin C et al. S3-Leitlinie „Prophylaxe, Diagnostik… Z Gastroenterol 2018; 56: 756–838
4. Miao Z et al. J Infect Dis. 2020; 221(10): 1677–1687.
6. Cornberg M et al. Z Gastroenterol 2021; 59: 691–776.
Our commitment: Together we are the pioneers for more quality of life in viral hepatitis. We want to ensure that we can solve the unsolvable, easily detect what is undetected, and effectively treat what is untreated.
