July 28 marks World Hepatitis Day, proclaimed by the International Hepatitis Alliance, which unites more than 200 hepatitis patient associations around the world. World Hepatitis Day was introduced in 2008.
The purpose of the events for this Day is to raise awareness among the world community about the symptoms, methods of diagnosis, screening, prevention and treatment of hepatitis, especially groups B and C, as well as related diseases, to cover the population with hepatitis B vaccination and integrate it into national immunization programs, and to draw the attention of governments and non-governmental organizations to the need to provide support to people with hepatitis B and C.
Statistics show that on average, every twelfth person in the world is a carrier of the hepatitis B or C virus. In the Chuguiv district, for 6 months of 2024, the incidence of viral hepatitis A was not registered, and the incidence of parenteral viral hepatitis B and C has a tendency to increase in incidence compared to the same period in 2023. However, the level of awareness of people about these diseases is extremely low. The disease begins gradually, proceeds without symptoms and does not manifest itself for a long time, therefore hepatitis (especially C) is sometimes called the “gentle killer”.
There are 8 types of hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, E, J, F, TT. Viral hepatitis A and E are acute intestinal infections with predominant liver damage. The source of infection is a sick person in the initial period of the disease. The virus is transmitted through contaminated water, food, dirty hands if hygiene standards are not observed. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted when the integrity of the skin is broken, in particular, sexually, during childbirth, surgically, during blood transfusion and its components, as a result of the use of non-sterile instruments and medical products, during piercing, tattooing, as well as through personal hygiene products (toothbrush, razor, scissors).
The severity of symptoms of hepatitis depends on the type of virus. The disease can manifest itself as an enlarged liver, pain in the right hypochondrium, a feeling of heaviness in this area, dyspeptic symptoms, jaundice and itching of the skin, increased body temperature, nausea, vomiting, darkening of urine and discoloration of feces, general weakness and decreased performance. Hepatitis can be asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, in which case the person does not suspect that he has the disease.
To avoid infection with viral hepatitis A and E, it is necessary to: use only boiled water for drinking, washing dishes, vegetables and fruits, wash hands thoroughly with soap, use individual towels, and eat high-quality food. The following sanitary and hygienic measures ensure the interruption of the transmission routes of parenteral viral hepatitis: in everyday life, it is necessary to use individual personal hygiene products, avoid injuries.
When receiving medical care in medical institutions, cosmetic procedures in salons, it is necessary to pay attention to the availability of sterile disposable medical products, sterile instruments, disinfectants for
hand washing and sterile disposable medical gloves for medical personnel. In order to prevent the sexual transmission of infection, casual sexual contact should be avoided and personal protective equipment should be used. Prevention of occupational infections in medical institutions is achieved by strict adherence to the rules of the anti-epidemic regime, especially in hemodialysis, surgical, gynecological, obstetric, dental and other departments, in laboratories where medical personnel come into contact with blood. When performing any parenteral interventions and manipulations, it is necessary to use rubber medical gloves. The only effective means of preventing viral hepatitis A and B is vaccination.
Remember that it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat its consequences. At the first symptoms of the disease, consult a doctor.
Chuhuyiv branch of the State Institution "Kharkiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention"«