World Hepatitis Day: 5 Dangerous Myths That Could Delay a Life-Saving Diagnosis

Hepatitis is often called a "silent disease" for good reason. Millions of people worldwide are living with viral hepatitis without knowing it, allowing the infection to quietly damage the liver over many years. Yet despite advances in testing and treatment, myths and misinformation continue to prevent people from getting diagnosed early. On World Hepatitis Day, experts are urging people to separate fact from fiction. According to Dr Ravindra B S, Director and Head of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences at Fortis BG Road, Bengaluru, understanding the truth about hepatitis could mean the difference between early treatment and irreversible liver damage. “Despite growing awareness of hepatitis in general health conversations, several myths continue to circulate

widely. These beliefs influence how people judge their own risk and, more often than not, push testing further down the priority list. The sections below look at some of the most common misconceptions and explain why they no longer hold up,” said Dr. Ravindra.Also read: Your Fatigue Isn’t Always Stress: 10 Early Signs of Hepatitis You Should Never Ignore Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by the hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses. While each type differs in how it spreads and progresses, misconceptions surrounding the disease continue to delay life-saving diagnosis and treatment.

Myth 1: "I would know if I had hepatitis”

One of the biggest misconceptions is that hepatitis always causes noticeable symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, or abdominal pain. In reality, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can remain completely symptom-free for years or even decades. During this silent phase, the virus continues to damage the liver, increasing the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. “Waiting for the body to give a warning is not a dependable approach here - routine blood testing remains the only accurate way to detect these infections early,” said Dr. Ravindra.

Myth 2: "Only certain people get hepatitis"

Many believe hepatitis affects only people who inject drugs or have multiple sexual partners. While these are recognised risk factors, they are far from the only ones. Hepatitis B and C can also spread through:

• Unsterilised tattoo or piercing equipment
• Shared razors or toothbrushes
• Blood transfusions received before modern screening programmes
• Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth

Myth 3: "Hepatitis spreads through casual contact"

Another persistent myth is that hepatitis can spread through hugging, sharing food, shaking hands or using the same utensils. “This is not true for Hepatitis B and C. These viruses are primarily transmitted through infected blood and certain body fluids - not everyday social interactions,” he added. Unfortunately, this misconception contributes to stigma, making some people reluctant to discuss symptoms or seek testing for fear of discrimination.

Myth 4: "A hepatitis diagnosis is a death sentence”

Fear of diagnosis often discourages people from getting tested. However, treatment has transformed dramatically over the past decade. “Modern antiviral medicines can cure most cases of Hepatitis C, often within a few months. While Hepatitis B cannot usually be cured completely, long-term antiviral treatment can effectively suppress the virus, reduce liver damage and help patients live healthy lives,” said Dr. Ravindra.

Myth 5: "All types of Hepatitis are the same"

Not all hepatitis viruses behave alike. Hepatitis A and E are usually spread through contaminated food or water and often resolve without becoming chronic. By contrast, Hepatitis B and C can persist for years without symptoms, silently damaging the liver unless diagnosed and treated.

Early testing can save lives

Experts stress that every misconception about hepatitis has one thing in common - it delays diagnosis. Waiting for symptoms, assuming you're not at risk, or fearing the stigma associated with hepatitis can allow the disease to progress unnoticed. By the time symptoms appear, permanent liver damage may already have occurred.