If left untreated, it can lead to progressive liver damage, increasing the risk of cirrhosis and other diseases.
Four years ago, Yellow July was established, a national campaign for the prevention and awareness of viral hepatitis. The color yellow was chosen to represent the campaign due to one of the main symptoms of the disease: jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin and eyes, resulting from impaired liver function.
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Increase in cases of disease
According to the Viral Hepatitis 2022 Epidemiological Bulletin of the Ministry of Health, between 2000 and 2021, approximately 718,000 cases of the disease and over 80,000 deaths from complications of the disease were reported in the country. Hepatitis is a liver inflammationgenerating mild, moderate or severe alterations.
In the last week, the number of hepatitis A diagnoses in private laboratories increased by 56.2% in January this year, compared to the same period in 2022. Hepatitis C cases also increased by 2.4%, and only hepatitis B remained stable over the period, according to data released by the Associação Brasileira de Medicina Diagnóstica (Abramed). This survey brings together the laboratories responsible for 60% of the tests carried out by integrative healthcare in the country.
types of hepatitis
In cases of viral hepatitis, in the center of Yellow July, the variants are classified from A to E, with the most common types in Brazil being A, B and C. In the case of types B and C, they are responsible for the greatest number of infections and deaths – also because they rarely have acute symptoms and are discovered only with routine tests or when the liver is already compromised, and are transmitted through unprotected sex, contact with contaminated blood or from mother to child during pregnancy.
Type A is related to basic sanitation, hygiene, treated water and poor food conditions and is transmitted by fecal-oral contagion.
Be aware of the symptoms
Among the most common symptoms of hepatitis are tiredness, fever, dizziness, malaise, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools and a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes, which is the most characteristic symptom of the disease due to the liver attack. Worsening can compromise the organ and cause cirrhosis or even liver cancer.
“The symptoms of the disease can take years to manifest and in many cases the disease can be asymptomatic until it enters its acute phase, when its condition is already aggravated and with little chance of reversal, which is why public awareness is essential to support prevention and ensure early diagnosis,” explains the hematologist of Sabin Diagnosis and Health of Ribeirão Preto, Maria do Carmo Favarin.
prevent hepatitis
Vaccination is the main preventive measure for types A and B, assures the doctor. “The first dose of the vaccine for type B is given at birth and for type A it is recommended to give it at 15 months of age,” explains Maria do Carmo Favarin.
prevention of the disease also includes practicing safe sex and not sharing sharp tools or personal hygiene items, as well as improving basic sanitation and food hygiene.
“The purpose of alertness and awareness is that, if properly prevented and treated early, we can reduce the impacts of the disease, its complications and the number of deaths. When diagnosed early and the correct treatment is started, the disease can be controlled and even cured, depending on the type. Hepatitis C, for example, is curable in more than 90% of cases, when treatment is started early and followed correctly”, underlines Maria do Carmo Favarin.
Form of diagnosis of the disease
The diagnosis of hepatitis is made through serology to detect whether the hepatitis is type A, B, C, D or E. In addition, liver tests and other complementary tests may be performed. Blood test results are rapid and discovering the disease early is essential to ensure good treatment, avoid complications and increase the chances of a cure.
In situations where the diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor may order further tests to detect whether the infection is active and whether it is present acute or chronic.
By Anne Candal Pinheiros
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
