Overview

• According to WHO figures, 254 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B in 2022 and about 1.2 million new infections are detected each year
• Five main types of viral hepatitis—A through E—spread via contaminated food, water or bodily fluids, with hepatitis B and C posing chronic risks of cirrhosis and liver cancer
• Specialists stress prevention through vaccination against hepatitis A and B, frequent hand hygiene, condom use and sterilized equipment in medical or aesthetic procedures
• The Córdoba campaign also integrates free HIV and other STI screenings with patient counseling to underscore co-infection risks
• Early diagnosis using rapid tests and access to free or subsidized treatments remain vital strategies to prevent progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer