65% of the population suffering from hepatitis do not know – Health

World Day

Health

29/07/2018. In the country, the disease has suffered from about 332,000 people and only 35% know it. (Infobae)

For eight years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has ordered that World Hepatitis Day be commemorated every 28 July, in order to make visible an unknown pathology for 65 % of the population suffering from it. What are its types, how to avoid it and what are the strategies to reduce the number of cases

Every 28th of July is commemorated eight years ago the World Day against Hepatitis, date fixed by the 39; World Health Organization (WHO) and this coincides with the birth of scientist Baruch Samuel Blumberg, discoverer of the vaccine against hepatitis B. This year the motto is "Tests, Treatment, Hepatitis", to make visible the need to find patients who do not yet know their diagnosis, giving them the opportunity to heal or control their pathology so that it does not worsen.

The term "hepatitis" refers to inflammation of the liver, a vital organ that treats nutrients, has a detoxifying function, and synthesizes proteins. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function may be affected. In most cases, this disease is caused by a hepatitis A virus, B, C, D and E. According to WHO, these viruses cause acute and chronic infections and inflammation of the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Today, about 355 million people suffer from this disease, which poses a serious risk to global health. The countries with the highest rates of chronic hepatitis C infection are Egypt (22%), Pakistan (4.8%) and China (3.2%). The main mode of transmission in these countries is attributed to the administration of injections with contaminated material. In Latin America and the Caribbean, an estimated 2.1 million people are living with hepatitis B and 4.1 million with chronic hepatitis C, of ​​which only 14 percent are diagnosed. In the case of Argentina, it is estimated that there are 332,000 people with hepatitis C and only 35% know it.

Although there are vaccines that prevent the spread of hepatitis A and B and type C treatments to cure their symptoms, it is disturbing to say that more than a million and a half people die each year because of their cause, such as deaths caused by HIV or TB.

The ultimate goal is to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health problem: the goals are to reduce incidents by 90% and mortality by 65% ​​by 2030. "The first is step to eradicate them is the prevention of transmission and for this, mbad sensitization is essential, resources are available necessary to vaccinate all exposed population, to detect all possible cases and to disseminate the necessary hygiene measures to prevent the spread, "said Dr. Aníbal Dario Feder, member of the Youth Commission of the Foundation for Studies for Health and Social Security (FESS) and magister in management and the l & # 39; Administration of Health Services and Systems

Source of information: Infobae