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July 28 – World Hepatitis Day – Diagnostic tests for hepatitis are easy and affordable and treatments can cure these diseases
It is easy in Portugal to diagnose # 39; hepatitis. "Screening tests are accessible to all health services, especially in health centers," confirms Arsénio Santos, coordinator of the Center for the Study of Liver Diseases (NEDF) of the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine. "It has already been legislated and measures are in place that facilitate access to testing, and interested individuals can go directly to community pharmacies and clinical analysis labs, without the need for any additional testing. prior medical prescription. " Nevertheless, there are still cases in Brazil to diagnose – and treat – hepatitis B and C, as well as the myths and untruths that need to be cleared, says the World Day Specialist. hepatitis. July 28
Is saliva a form of transmission of hepatitis, as well as handshakes, kisses, or sneezes?
The question often arises, already transformed into an unfounded myth. "Only unprotected sex (condoms) is an important risk factor for viral hepatitis B and C," explains Arsénio Santos. "Personal social contact and situations such as kissing or sneezing are not recognized risk factors and should not be discouraged," he adds.
But there are other untruths that the expert takes to correct:
– Hepatitis is hereditary, it passes from parents to children "- 1945." No, they are not hereditary diseases, "says the specialist. "But it's important to know when a pregnant woman is infected, to avoid a risk of mother-to-child transmission, which only exists at the time of delivery."
– "Hepatitis C only affects the liver" – "Hepatitis C mainly affects the liver, which can lead to inflammation, cirrhosis and, more rarely, liver cancer.But there may be other manifestations, which we call extrahepatic, namely some rheumatic complaints, but these are less common situations. "
– " Hepatitis C is a death sentence ". – "Of no way!"
– "Tattoos, manicures / pedicures and piercings do not cause any risk of hepatitis transmission." – "L & H Hepatitis C can be cured in almost 100% of cases.In all cases where there is contact with blood through sharp or piercing objects, there is a risk of transmission of these infections, but only when There is bad practice! This risk only exists if instruments that are poorly sterilized or shared by two or more people are used. "
The NEDF coordinator also refers to the 39 Hepatitis A, drawing attention to risk, shared "by anyone who has never had the disease and who has not been vaccinated." In the case of children, he assures that "hepatitis A is not usually very serious and that in our country, the conditions of hygiene and hygiene are rel if they are good, the risk of contracting them decreases ". "Until a few decades ago, most of us contracted Hepatitis A during the first few years, when the disease is almost always that we have been vaccinated for the rest of our With the general improvement of the economic and health conditions of the majority of the population, today most people reach adulthood without having been in contact with the virus and therefore sensitive to the disease. Infection, however, hepatitis A is a generally benign infection in childhood, but when it is contracted in adulthood, it tends to be more severe and can, in some cases, life-threatening, the transmission of the disease is fecal-oral and, in situations where people may be at greater risk, they should be vaccinated. "
Arsénio Santos also highlights this World Day of hepatitis to leave a message: "All forms of Hepatitis is currently curable. Hepatitis C is cured with treatments that last, for the most part, eight to 12 weeks. Hepatitis B, although often requiring chronic treatments, is perfectly controlled, which prevents significant liver damage. "
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