Accra, July 26, 2011 – Ghana will mark the 2011 World Hepatitis Day, in Accra, on Thursday 28th July, with a press conference and public lecture on the theme: “This is Hepatitis.” The venue is the Exhibition Hall of the National Theatre, Accra at 9am. A float will precede the press conference and public lecture on Wednesday, July 27th beginning from the Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, in Accra and proceed to the Ministries through Obetsebi Lamptey Circle, Korle-Bu and the High Street to create awareness of hepatitis. The resource persons for the public lecture are Dr. Adwoa Adjei, Department of Medicine, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Mr. Stephen Corquaye, an executive member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH). Mr. Stephen Corquaye said, as part of the programme, there would be free screening of people to know their status. The first screening will take place at the Castle Clinic, Osu after the press conference and lecture on 28th July while the second screening will take place at the Civil Servants Clinic at the Ministries in Accra on Friday, 29th July. He said, “Hepatitis is a disease of the liver caused by several types of the Hepatitis virus. This virus causes destruction of the liver tissue and may lead to cirrhosis of the liver. About 250 million people globally are thought to be affected by hepatitis C, while 300 million people are thought to be carriers of hepatitis B.” There are five main types of hepatitis caused by a virus, A, B, C, D, and E - plus types X and G. Hepatitis A is caused by taking in infected food or water. The food or water is infected with a virus called HAV (Hepatitis A Virus). Anal-oral contact during sex can also be a cause. Nearly everyone who develops Hepatitis A makes a full recovery - it does not lead to chronic disease status. Hepatitis, is an STD (sexually transmitted disease) caused by the virus HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) and is spread by contact with infected blood, semen, and some other body fluids. Mr. Corquaye explained, “Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. This disease is more infectious than HIV/AIDS because blood and blood products easily transmit it in much the same way as AIDS. Persistent infection with Hepatitis B is considered essential for development of liver cancer. Vaccination is an effective way of prevention.” The liver, according to Mr. Corquaye, has a wide range of functions, including: detoxification (filters harmful substances form the blood, such as alcohol); stores vitamins A, D, K and B12 (as well as minerals); protein synthesis (makes certain amino acids - the building blocks of proteins). The liver also produces bio-chemicals needed for digestion, such as bile; and maintains proper levels of glucose in the blood; it produces 80% of your body's vital cholesterol and stores glycogen (converts glucose to glycogen). Further, the liver decomposes red blood cells and synthesises plasma protein with production of hormones and urea (the main substance of urine). “Most liver damage is caused by 3 hepatitis viruses, called hepatitis A, B and C. However, hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and some other toxins and infections, as well as from our own autoimmune process,” he noted. Usually, the diagnosis of hepatitis is made using a combination of tests. More advanced tests might include using imaging technology such as ultrasound, computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With a little education and support, people with hepatitis can live full and complete lives.