Hepatitis B prevalence is higher among men in Coquimbo region

Viral hepatitis affects millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic disease and even leading to approximately 1.4 million deaths each year.

despite this, Hepatitis remains a largely neglected or unknown disease. To this end, the World Health Organization commemorates World Viral Hepatitis Day every year on 28 July.

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that produces Infects a person for life and can be spread through blood and, to a lesser extent, saliva, semen, and other bodily fluids From an infected person; it can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or even postpartum.

In Chile, the virus is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids through sexual contact and through needle sticks from intravenous drug users.

In the case of hepatitis C, which is caused by a virus that inflames the liver, it’s usually asymptomatic but only manifests in advanced stages.

coquimbo area

Regarding hepatitis B, Men are more prone to the condition than womenfar exceeding the proportion of women between 2016 and 2020.

The reference in Seremi de Cheers states: “While the highest incidence rates among males occurred in 2016 and 2018, the greatest difference in incidence among females occurred in 2020, a year in which males outnumbered females eight times.”, Roxana Vieira.

risk factors

Long-term heavy drinking can damage the liver and increase the chances of developing hepatitis B and C.
In addition, intravenous drug use also increases the likelihood of infection.

Other risk factors are having unprotected sexbecause this is the route of infection for hepatitis B and C.

How to prevent it?

For prevention, proper condom use is required, a single-use sealant is always required for tattoos or piercings, and hepatitis B vaccination is required.