Published online Apr 28, 2021. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v9.i2.139
Peer-review started: January 27, 2021
First decision: February 25, 2021
Revised: February 26, 2021
Accepted: April 23, 2021
Article in press: April 23, 2021
Published online: April 28, 2021
Processing time: 90 Days and 23.7 Hours
Viral hepatitis represents a major public health hazard and is associated with significant global mortality. Over the last decade, there have been significant developments in the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis. These changes have led to a situation whereby global elimination has become a realistic goal, fully endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). By 2030, the WHO aims to reduce viral hepatitis mortality by 65% and reduce new infections by 90% by 2030. These are ambitious targets and will only be met through a sustained programme. This will require expertise from hepatologists and virologists and the fields of public health and primary care. In this article, we review the causes of viral hepatitis, its management through prevention and treatments, and the most pressing challenges and recent advances.
Core Tip: Viral hepatitis represents a major public health hazard and is associated with significant global mortality. The aim of this article is to provide a concise description of the management, advances and challenges in the field of hepatitis caused by hepatotropic viruses A-E.