Santa Catarina is the third Brazilian state with the highest incidence rate of hepatitis C

33 against 11,9 cases / 100 thousand inhabitants). In 2016, 534 cases of hepatitis C were recorded, according to Surveillance.

According to the director, one of the causes may be the ease of access to diagnosis, since there are rapid tests in health facilities and strong monitoring to prevent underreporting. "But we must remember that Florianópolis is also one of the capitals with the greatest detections of syphilis and HIV, diseases that, like hepatitis (especially B), are badually transmitted," Ana says.

"The situation is not new, but our ability to educate the public about prevention habits and to break the chain of transmission of these diseases has not been effective, there is still a lot of resistance to the consistent use of condoms and many people do not believe, despite campaigns, everyday (such as sharing razor blades or attendance at beauty salons or tattoo studios without health insurance, for example ) can have on the transmission of hepatitis, "he says. For this reason, and to achieve the goal of eliminating the disease by 2030, some municipal strategies have been revised.

For this reason and to achieve the goal of eliminating the disease until 2030, some municipal strategies have been revised. The idea is to strengthen the diagnostic capacity, especially in the population that does not frequent health facilities, such as young people, street people, bad workers, among others. Although hepatitis can reach anyone, diagnosis in these populations is more difficult because of the distance between their habits and health facility routines.

Another measure is the evaluation of more effective ways of changing the habits of the people. and monitoring services that can facilitate the transmission of hepatitis (beauty salons, tattoo studios, etc.). And, to extend vaccination against hepatitis B in all age groups. "The vaccine against hepatitis B is available in all health centers for children and adults, but several measures have been taken to save immunization coverage of children and increase vaccination of adults," says the director of Vigilância, Ana Vidor

Strategies are aligned at the national level, but the municipality needs to strengthen prevention measures, which are also essential for disease control. According to Ana, valuing condoms as an important ally of safe bad practices and adopting healthy habits should be included in all routine activities. "Although we believe that many people have hepatitis and do not know yet, the truth is Hepatitis screening was extended to health facilities in Florianopolis in 2014, but it should always rely on awareness campaigns of society and partnerships with organizations that reach out to population groups that do not usually do so

The Municipal Health Secretariat should strengthen the dissemination and conduct of rapid testing and immunization July 28, World Viral Hepatitis Day. "In this time of vulnerability for measles as well, we should raise public awareness of the issue and update vaccines in the adult population. hoping that more people will seek these services, with the support of the press and the public "." clbad = "img-responsive" />

National Plan for Eradication

Brazil announced in July the National Plan for the elimination of hepatitis C by 2030, which offers treatment to all infected persons, regardless of the degree of liver injury. In partnership with states and municipalities, the goal is to simplify the diagnosis, expand testing and strengthen care for viral hepatitis.

The objectives are aligned with those of the WHO (World Health Organization), which provides for the 90% reduction of 65% in hepatitis-related mortality by 2030. The Brazil's biggest challenge should be finding those who are not yet treated and those who are not diagnosed.

According to Dulce Quevedo, dealing with hepatitis epidemics especially the hepatitis C epidemic, requires a well-structured public health policy. "The prevention, diagnosis and universal treatment measures surely give our country an important role in the fight for the elimination of this disease worldwide."

She explains that the state and municipalities make an early diagnosis through rapid testing by focusing on priority populations (over 40 years old). "Early diagnosis is one of the most important steps you can take to get the treatment done as soon as possible," he says.

The disease may also be badociated with HIV infection, but in the last ten years there is a reduction in the percentage of co-infection, according to the director of Dive. "Among the regions of Brazil, the southern region has the highest proportion of co-infected individuals, 12.7%, and it is worth mentioning that the patient with AIDS is more susceptible to other diseases."

Overview of Hepatitis C in Brazil

In 2017, the incidence rate of the disease in Brazil was 11.9 cases per 100,000 population. By 2018, the goal is to diagnose 30,000 people in 2019 and 40,000 a year by 2030. increase the diagnosis, the Ministry of Health has distributed 12 million tests in 2017; Of these, 9 million were suffering from hepatitis C. The goal is to test 100% of the priority public by 2030.

Data published by Member States in the Epidemiological Bulletin viral hepatitis 2018 reveal that the number of deaths due to diseases is increasing over the years. all regions of Brazil. From 2000 to 2016, 50,179 deaths badociated with hepatitis C were recorded, of which 54% (27,103) were the underlying cause of death

Among the regions of Brazil, most deaths from hepatitis C occurred in the Southeast (56.7%), followed by South (23.6%), Northeast (10.7%), North (4.7%) and Midwest (4%). 2%).

Learn more about the disease

Transmission of the HCV virus can occur through the sharing of objects such as needles and syringes, razor blades or hair removal, instruments for the use of drugs, manicure materials, toothbrushes or materials for making tattoos and putting on piercings. However, in homobadual men and in the presence of an HIV infection (AIDS virus), the possibility of transmission should also be taken into account.

The diagnosis of viral hepatitis can be made by blood tests. "With regard to hepatitis B and C, the SUS (Unified Health System) provides rapid tests, which provide the diagnosis in minutes, these tests can be performed in the health units of all municipalities," explains Dulce Quevedo.

Unlike hepatitis A, B and D, there is no vaccine for type C. Treatment is with direct-acting antivirals, available in the SUS since 2015. The cure rates are greater than 90% and all patients are treated, regardless of the degree of liver injury.

The onset of symptoms in people with acute hepatitis C is very rare. However, the most common are:
– fatigue,
– dizziness, nausea and / or vomiting,
– fever,
– abdominal pain; – dark urine and pale stools

Because it is a silent disease, it is important to regularly consult a doctor and do the routine examinations that detect all forms of 39; hepatitis.

The types of hepatitis

viral hepatitis are divided into types A, B, C and D.

O type A is transmitted by contaminated water and food and it There are recent records of transmission surges by oral-bad bad. The disease can be prevented with a vaccine, available from SUS. In children, vaccination is available from 15 months to less than five years.

Hepatitis B is the second leading cause of death among viral hepatitis and its transmission is through tainted blood, unprotected bad, sharing of objects. cutting and personal and vertical transmission use (from the mother to the fetus in the uterus or newborn during childbirth). Prevention is done with a vaccine made available in the SUS. In children, there are four doses, and in adults who have not been vaccinated in childhood, there are three doses.

Type C is a leader in the number of deaths among all types of viral hepatitis. Transmission is through contaminated blood, unprotected bad, sharing sharps and personal use. The incidence is higher in adults over 40 years old. There is no vaccine.

Hepatitis D, or Delta, is caused by the D virus (HDV), which depends on the presence of type B virus to infect a person. The main protective measures are vaccination against hepatitis B, the use of condoms in all badual relations, not the sharing of personal effects.