World Hepatitis Day 2021: Follow These Hygiene Practices To Stay Away From The Disease

Hygiene plays an important role in health and well-being, and the pandemic has sufficiently proven it. On World Hepatitis Day today, it should be understood that sharing needles, having unprotected sex and consuming large amounts of alcohol can increase your risk of contracting the Hepatitis virus. hepatitis.

Dr Rakesh Patel, consultant gastroenterologist at Fortis Hospital in Kalyan explains that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can lead to complications. “The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood and fights infections. When it is inflamed or damaged, its function may be affected.

Common forms of viral hepatitis include:

1. Hepatitis A: It does not lead to chronic infection and usually does not have complications. The liver usually heals within a few months. Occasional deaths from hepatitis A have occurred due to liver failure, and some people have required a liver transplant for an acute infection. Hepatitis A can be prevented by vaccination.

2. Hepatitis B: It is spread through contact with infectious bodily fluids, such as blood, vaginal fluids, or semen. Using injection drugs, having sex with an infected partner, or sharing razors with an infected person increases your risk of getting hepatitis B. The earlier in life it is contracted, the more likely it is to become chronic. People can carry the virus without feeling sick, but can still spread it. It can be prevented by getting the vaccine.

3. Hepatitis C: About 75 to 85% of patients with hepatitis C develop a chronic infection of the liver. He often has no symptoms. No vaccine is yet available to prevent it.

4. Hepatitis D: Hepatitis D only happens to people infected with the hepatitis B virus. If you are vaccinated against hepatitis B, you will be protected against hepatitis D.

5. Hepatitis E: This type of hepatitis is spread by ingesting contaminated food or water. Hepatitis E is common around the world. Although vaccines exist, they are not available everywhere.

About 75 to 85% of patients with hepatitis C develop a chronic infection of the liver. (Photo: Getty / Thinkstock)

Tips for prevention

Hepatitis is preventable and the following precautions can protect you.

* Good hygiene is essential to avoid contracting hepatitis A and E. If you are traveling, you should avoid:

– Local water
– Ice
– Raw or undercooked shellfish and oysters
– Raw fruits and vegetables
* Hepatitis B, C and D contracted by contaminated blood can be prevented by:
– Do not share drug needles
– Do not share razors
– Do not use someone else’s toothbrush
– Do not touch the spilled blood

* Hepatitis B and C can also be contracted during sexual intercourse and intimate sexual contact. Practicing safer sex using condoms and dental dams can help reduce the risk of infection.

* Vaccination is another effective way to protect against hepatitis A and B. Experts are currently developing vaccines against hepatitis C. Above all, prevention, hygiene practices and vaccination are the most effective tools.

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