In the framework of World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, the field hospital “Escuela Hogar” commemorates this day,
They hold awareness days with information about the disease. In this context, epidemiologist Fernando Achinelli stresses the importance of vaccination and early diagnosis of hepatitis. “Viral hepatitis is an infection caused by what we know as the letters A, B, C, D, and E. In the case of hepatitis A, a vaccine has been The number of infections and their complications has decreased over the years”, explains the expert.
Regarding hepatitis B, according to the latest epidemiological report of the Ministry of Health, about 446 cases of hepatitis B are reported every year. In this regard, Akinelli explained that there is a slight decline between different age groups, and there are fluctuations.
To this end, it is worth mentioning that since 2000, the hepatitis B vaccine has been administered at birth and, therefore, a large proportion of the population has been vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B (HBV) can prevent complications such as chronic disease and liver cancer. However, the hepatitis B vaccine has been available since 2010, meaning it is available without a doctor’s order and may need to be administered at a vaccination centre. It should be noted that this virus causes liver inflammation.
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Infection can occur through sexual transmission, non-close contact with hepatitis B patients, and transdermal transmission, so Aquinelli said, “It is very important to apply the vaccine to prevent hepatitis B infection.”
“We remember that hepatitis C is a sexually and transdermally transmitted infection. There is no vaccine yet, but since 2010 we have had curative treatments and after 6 months of treatment with antivirals There is a sustained virological response. This changes the pattern of hepatitis infection because people with hepatitis C can go into remission and cure,” he said, adding, “That’s why physicians should ask for this hepatitis analysis because Between 1.5 and 1 in 7 people with this infection don’t know they have it.”
Referring to the World Health Organization (WHO), Aquinelli noted that “hepatitis C causes hundreds of millions of chronic diseases and is the most common cause of death related to cirrhosis, liver cancer and complications associated with the infection itself.
An estimated 325 million people in the world are living with a B or C virus infection, “many of whom are unaware of it or unable to access it due to unequal access to methods, diagnosis and treatment”. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 4 million premature deaths could be prevented by 2030 if countries had access to vaccines, diagnostic tests and medicines.
“Essentially these infections (hepatitis), the vast majority of which are B and C, with diagnosis and treatment, cirrhosis and HCC are avoidable. On this day, we remember the importance of infection prevention, timely See a doctor and go to a vaccination center,” Akinelli said.
It is worth mentioning that this Friday, the team of the Directorate General of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Public Health carried out an awareness-raising mission in the Plaza de Cabral, in the city of Corrientes, including information, vaccinations and rapid and confidential testing. It was recalled that free vaccines are available at all health centers in the province.