World Hepatitis Day with Prevention Activities

The Ministry of Public Health will join tomorrow the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day with promotion and prevention actions in public spaces; in order to accompany and strengthen the global approach to viral hepatitis.

Vaccination and voluntary testing will take place today at Plaza 25 de Mayo from 9am to 6pm and tomorrow at Parque de la Democracia from 2.30pm to 6pm. Hepatitis is a disease that affects the liver, a vital organ that treats nutrients and exerts a detoxifying function and synthesizes proteins. When he is inflamed or damaged his function may be affected.

In most cases this pathology is caused by a virus; The most common are hepatitis A, B and C. To a lesser extent, viruses D and E. If it is not treated, hepatitis can cause organ damage and even death. In some cases, excessive consumption of alcohol, toxins, certain drugs and certain diseases affecting the liver can also cause hepatitis.

CASES

Director of Epidemiology, Mariela Fabiani, said that according to official figures in Argentina, there are more than 332,000 people with hepatitis C; of which only 35% is diagnosed. It should be noted that in 2016, 330 liver transplants were performed in the country and 17% were due to hepatitis C.

"Hepatitis is diagnosed with a specific blood test that is not part of the blood studies that are requested in regular medical examinations; This study is available free of charge in hospitals and health centers, "said Fabiani, noting that in many cases, hepatitis only produces no symptoms, so that he can not be diagnosed by means of a blood test.

In the same sense that hepatitis A and hepatitis B are vaccinated and are included in the national immunization schedule. Adults should be vaccinated against hepatitis B.

This vaccine is given in three doses and is available for free for all vaccines in the province. Since 2003, it is mandatory for 11 year olds who have not received the vaccine at birth or at the age of 2, 4 and 6 months. On the other hand, he recalled that there was still no vaccine against hepatitis C.

He also indicated that hepatitis B is also prevented by the use of a condom or a latex field in all badual relations. Finally, he stressed that the teams of the Ministry of Public Health implement strategies and actions framed in the National Program for the fight against viral hepatitis