Universitas Gadjah Mada addresses hepatitis misconceptions

The Center for Tropical Medicine at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) recently held a podcast titled ‘Hepatitis: Often Heard, But Still Often Misunderstood?’ to address public misconceptions and stigmas surrounding the disease.

Dr. Fahmi Indrarti from UGM explained that while viral infections are the primary cause, hepatitis can also be triggered by alcohol consumption, obesity, medication, and unhygienic food. The virus is categorized into five types (A, B, C, D, and E). Hepatitis A and E are transmitted via contaminated food or water, whereas Hepatitis B and C are spread through bodily fluids, particularly infected blood.

In Indonesia, Hepatitis B and C are the most prevalent types, with an estimated 6.7 million people living with Hepatitis B and 2.5 million with Hepatitis C. Both types carry a high risk of becoming chronic infections that can lead to liver cancer if not properly managed.