Doctors worry about absence of hepatitis C vaccine

Mexico. Of the five types of hepatitis that exist, type C is the one that worries most scientists and doctors. Its contagion is becoming more common and it is estimated that in Mexico, from 1 to 3% of the population suffers from this disease, according to César Rivera Benítez, a graduate student of the Faculty of Medicine of the University National Autonomous Community of Mexico (UNAM)

For type C, there is still no vaccine, and once acquired, chronic forms develop and can cause liver complications in the medium and long term. The most disturbing is fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver, associated with a liver adenocarcinoma, detailed

However, he specified, if hepatitis in any of its types (A, B, C , D or E) is diagnosed and treated As part of the World Day Against Hepatitis, which is commemorated today, July 28, the university reported that this disease consists of an inflammatory process of liver by causes of toxic, infectious, degenerative or neoplastic origin.

"Types A and E are acquired orally, through contaminated food, in B and C, the contagion is manifested by transfusions, contact with the mucous membranes, skin piercings, tattoos, tattoos. use of contaminated needles and wounds caused by sharp objects; D is acquired when the patient already has chronic hepatitis B and delta antigen is added to complete the infection ", explains t -he.

"A and B are prevented by vaccination, E with good food management, but C does not exist vaccine and it is worrying because in these cases the chronic forms develop. moreover, the spread of C increases more and more in intravenous drug users, because of the use of contaminated syringes. "

This year's ephemeris theme is" Hepatitis, it's time to diagnose , treat and heal "and in this sense we must recognize that the diagnosis is difficult when it is already a chronic disease because it is often asymptomatic, he said." 19659002 "All people with risk factors should be examined . In Mexico, the percentage of chronic hepatitis ranges from one to three percent, depending on geographic region, type of community, and risk factors. For example, in the northern border area, where marginal groups most frequently use intravenous drugs, there are more cases and therefore control is allowed, "says the infectious disease specialist.

In the case of transfusions, the blood donated today in hospitals is subjected to tests for antibodies against hepatitis C, so it is almost impossible to transmit it by this means.

In cases of hepatitis C, there are many between 20 and 30 hundreds of people who suffer from it heal spontaneously, the rest transits to chronic forms that can remain up to 25 years without symptoms, according to the existence of other diseases.

There are treatments that cure hepatitis, but must be comprehensive, include the environment, treat and avoid risk factors, because if a patient does not change his risk behaviors or his mode of life may become infected again, concludes the head also of the Infectious Diseases Service of the General Hospital of Mexico.