"Save your Liver, Save Your Life"

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Supported by Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and PT Roche Indonesia, the Indonesian Association for the Study of the Liver (Ina ASL) has launched "Save Your Liver, Save Your Life" program to observe World Hepatitis Day on July 28, 2013.

"This program aims to raise public awareness of the danger of hepatitis C and its patients to recuperate from such a kind of disease," Ina ASL President Rino A Gani said here on Tuesday.

Rino explained that acute hepatitis C is short-term infection with hepatitis C virus, while chronic hepatitis C is a long-lasting infection with the hepatitis C virus.

"Chronic hepatitis C occurs when the body can't get rid of the hepatitis C virus, and without treatment, it can cause liver cancer or severe liver damage that leads to liver failure," he said.

According to him, hepatitis C is acquired by blood-to-blood contact with the common modes of transmission include injection, blood transfusion, tattoos, acupuncture, and high risk sexual activity with multiple partners.

Further, Rino added that to date a vaccine capable of protecting against hepatitis C was not available, but the disease was curable with a proper treatment. (*/DWA)