World Hepatitis Day is celebrated annually on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis.
Parenteral viral hepatitis (PVH)is a group of infectious diseases that primarily affect the liver. These include hepatitis B, C, D, etc. The main danger of the diseases is that they often become chronic and can be asymptomatic for years, gradually destroying the liver and leading to cirrhosis or cancer. More than a million people die from their consequences every year around the world.
Routes of transmission of PVG
Infection occurs when the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes is damaged through the blood and other biological fluids of an infected person. naturally (sexually, from an infected mother to a child during pregnancy and childbirth, contact and household) and artificially (non-medical and medical manipulations):
The virus is contained in all biological fluids of an infected person. The greatest amount is in blood, sperm, vaginal secretions, bile, in lower concentrations in saliva, sweat, breast milk, urine and other biological fluids.
At-risk groups
· People who inject drugs.
· Persons with promiscuous sexual relations.
· Medical workers.
· Patients receiving hemodialysis or frequent blood transfusions.
· People living with an infected person.
· Fans of tattoos, piercings and other procedures related to skin damage performed in dubious establishments.
Clinical manifestations of PIH
Clinical manifestations can be vivid, but more often they are faded. The period from the moment of infection to the first clinical manifestations is 2 weeks – 6 months. The danger of the pathology lies in the fact that an acute infection turns into chronic hepatitis or a chronic asymptomatic process immediately develops. The virus persists in the human body for decades and gradually destroys the liver.
Basic preventive measures
- Vaccination is the only reliable protection against hepatitis B, and this vaccination is included in the National Preventive Vaccination Calendar.
Important: There is no vaccine against hepatitis C yet, so its prevention is based on nonspecific precautions;
- do not use other people’s personal hygiene items (manicure, pedicure accessories, toothbrush, razor, etc.);
- exclude cosmetic and cosmetic procedures outside specialized salons (manicure, pedicure, tattoos, piercing and others). Before the procedure, make sure that sterile or disposable instruments are used;
- exclude intravenous drug administration; - exclude unprotected sexual intercourse.
- viral hepatitis C is completely curable, so it is very important to be examined in a timely manner and begin treatment;
- people in contact with a person infected with PIH must be periodically (at least once a year) examined for PIH markers and vaccinated against viral hepatitis B.
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