World Hepatitis Awareness Day is celebrated on Sunday
OR World Hepatitis Virus Day It is celebrated on July 28, a date established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010. In addition, the entire month of July is now dedicated to raising awareness about the disease. The reason is that these diseases often progress silently, causing serious damage to the liver.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is the name given to any infection of the liver. In the case of viral diseases, the bad guys are the viruses known by the letters A, B, C, D and E, while the most relevant hepatitis in Brazil are types A, B and C.
While hepatitis A is an acute disease, infections caused by hepatitis B or C viruses often lead to chronic disease. Over the years, these infections can cause cirrhosis or even the development of tumors, which can lead to the need for a transplant.
Number of new infections
According to PAHO, approximately 1.4 million people die each year worldwide from diseases, whether due to acute infections, liver cancer or cirrhosis. In Brazil alone, 3 million new infections are recorded each year.
Together, hepatitis B and C account for approximately 74% of reported cases of viral hepatitis in the country, and hepatitis C alone is responsible for more than 76% of deaths from viral hepatitis among Brazilians, from 2000 to 2018.
Forms of transmission?
Hepatitis A is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, when a person ingests water or food contaminated by feces. It can also occur through sexual contact between the mouth and anus.
Hepatitis B and C viruses are transmitted sexually and through contact with contaminated blood (sharing syringes and needles, tattoo materials, unsterilized manicures and pedicures, razor blades, etc.), as well as vertical transmission, which occurs when the mother transmits the virus to her child during pregnancy or childbirth.
Possible warning signs
Hepatitis does not always present symptoms, which is why it is considered a silent disease. When symptoms are present, it can cause fever, malaise, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine and whitish stools.
How is the diagnosis made?
The initial diagnosis is made through specific blood tests called serology. For hepatitis B and C, the Unified Health System (SUS) also offers so-called rapid tests, which use only a drop of blood to check if the person has already had contact with the virus, with immediate results.
Subsequently, if necessary, other tests may be requested to evaluate liver function, genotyping to identify the subtype of the virus, and imaging tests (such as ultrasound and CT), mainly to identify signs of complications and guide treatment.
Treatments
Treatment varies depending on the type of hepatitis. For hepatitis A, adequate rest, hydration, and nutrition are recommended, as well as the use of symptomatic medications to relieve fever or pain. Most patients recover within weeks or months.
In the case of hepatitis B, most cases progress as a self-limiting disease, with treatment similar to that of hepatitis A. However, some patients will develop the disease in a chronic form and, in these cases, treatment is done with antiviral drugs. drugs available in the SUS, which can control the infection and minimize the chances of progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
As for hepatitis C, significant progress has been made in the treatment with safer and more effective drugs, also provided by SUS, capable of curing over 95% of cases.
Ways of prevention
The best way to prevent hepatitis is through vaccination. For hepatitis A, the vaccine is available free of charge through the SUS for children aged 15 months to 5 years. For the hepatitis B vaccine, the recommendation is that the first dose be given to the newborn in the first 12 hours of life, and subsequent doses in the 2nd, 4th and 6th month of life. It is also available through the SUS for all unvaccinated people, regardless of age.
Other forms of prevention include good hygiene practices such as washing hands and drinking clean water. In hepatitis transmitted sexually or through contaminated blood, using condoms during sexual intercourse and not sharing personal items also help prevent the disease.
Is there a cure?
The possibility of cure varies depending on the type. In hepatitis A, since it is a self-limiting disease, in most cases patients recover completely within weeks or months and in rare cases it can progress to fulminant liver failure.
In cases of chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus, there is no definitive cure, only treatment is carried out to prevent the progression and possible complications of the disease. In infection with the hepatitis C virus, recovery is possible, especially if treatment is started as early as possible.
Sources: IFF/Fiocruz and Ibrafig
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.
