Everyone knows what HIV is, and it’s never ignored. Great lengths are taken to prevent its spread and the global effort to fight the disease is now stronger than ever.

What if there was another disease, more infectious and more common than HIV/AIDS? I’m sorry to tell you that there is. Its name is Hepatitis and it’s my sincerest hope that you never meet it face to face.

It’s estimated that 500 million individuals are learning to live with this terrible disease, while many others are unaware of how it is spread or how they might catch it. Some of the most well known ways to catch Hep. are through infected tattoo needles, sharing razors and through excessive drinking (alcoholism). Everyone could be at risk.

Unfortunately, the health treatments available for Hepatitis are not as extensive as those for other serious diseases such as HIV and Tuberculosis. The World Hepatitis Alliance has launched a campaign to both raise awareness and gain health programmes to help beat the disease. If you would like to find out more about the campaign and join up, visit www.aminumber12.org.