Hepatitis C, the silent enemy that can cause primary liver cancer

Pereira, July 27, 2023.

Viral hepatitis (A, B, C, and D) is a very common type of infection worldwide, causing a significant burden of death and disability. Therefore, on the Day for the Elimination of Hepatitis, the Riseralda Health Secretariat calls for self-care and action to raise awareness among the population of Riseralda about these infections, which are preventable and have timely access to treatment.

In this group, the main risks are types B and C, according to the World Health Organization, since an estimated 57% of cases of cirrhosis and 78% of cases of primary liver cancer are caused by viruses derived from A: Acute infection in this group is usually asymptomatic in most cases.

“For hepatitis B and C, the main risk factor is sexual transmission, and again, it warns that transmission may be from mother to child, or through the use of contaminated elements during procedures such as tattooing, dental procedures or surgery. Adequate cleaning and disinfection,” explained Karen Melissa Ordonez Dias, an infectious disease specialist at the Ministry of Health.

In this sense, health professionals warn that prevention depends on reducing the risk of exposure to the virus in healthcare settings and in high-risk groups, including people who use injecting drugs and men who have sex with men, especially those who are HIV-infected or are currently Receive HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Therefore, condom use is recommended, if you have an active sex life, make sure the areas where you will be having invasive procedures are cleaned well, and get checked and tested for hepatitis at least every six months.

symptom

During the incubation period, people usually have no symptoms. However, acute symptoms may include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyeballs).