Hepatitis virus can show up after 10 or 20 years

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus and can be fatal without proper treatment. The Costa Rican Ministry of Health calls for vigilance, especially since in some cases these viruses can emerge 10 or 20 years later and cause serious consequences such as liver cancer.

This was explained by Dr. Francisco Hevia, gastroenterologist and hepatologist, representative of the Costa Rica Chamber of Health and Nutritional Care, who assured that professionals in the health system and the entire health ecosystem must constantly work to define and position the types of patients with hepatitis Or people with hepatitis are screened to determine their future medical condition and learn whether they need more special care and take appropriate care to avoid fatal consequences.

According to information from the Costa Rica Social Security Fund, more than 80% of hepatitis treated in services is hepatitis A, which accounts for 77% of total cases and is most common in children under 15 years of age.

According to data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 10,000 new infections with hepatitis B virus and 67,000 new infections with hepatitis C virus every year on the American continent. Only 18% and 22% of these people are diagnosed, and far fewer receive treatment.

In this sense, Dr Hevia stressed that health systems must look for asymptomatic cases of HCV to fulfill the commitments made by the World Health Organization after calling on countries to eliminate cases of HCV by 2030.

Liver disease does not always cause obvious signs and symptoms. Symptoms sometimes appear years after infection, by which time the liver may be severely damaged.

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“Programs in Costa Rica were halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, but now it’s time to resume them and experts are in the best position to go out and look for the virus that may currently be present in large numbers of people, such as gay people, tattoos on different parts of the body, piercings and rings and those who maintain an active and promiscuous sexual life,” explained a representative of the Costa Rican Chamber of Health.

For hepatitis B, C, and D, transmission occurs through direct contact with contaminated body fluids (needle stick or sexual contact).

For Adrián Fernández, microbiologist at Genesys CR and representative of the Costa Rican Ministry of Health, it is important to call on the population and authorities to raise awareness of the problem, promote more educational campaigns and mobilize resources in these areas. In the event of an outbreak.

“In addition, there is a need to develop science-based policies and collect data so that timely action can have a positive impact on improving health equity and strengthening transmission prevention programs, expanding testing, assistance and early treatment services to reduce risks and reduce the risk of disease caused by this disease. Complications,” Fernandez said.

Microbiologists stress that early diagnosis is crucial because the virus can also cause liver fibrosis, which means the liver is filled with scarring from inflammation produced by the virus and may be a precursor to the development of cirrhosis. The importance of maintaining regular inspections.

hygiene measures

Health authorities recently declared an outbreak of hepatitis A, followed by another outbreak of the same virus in February this year.

Faced with this situation, Dr. Melissa Delgado, general practitioner at the Lafemedica Clinic and representative of the Costa Rica Chamber of Health, recalls the importance of not abandoning the basic practice of hand washing and reminds people that the hepatitis virus can be transmitted through the fecal-oral mechanism, allowing it to pass through this simple actions to prevent infection.

“As a viral disease with a highly controllable transmission route, it is extremely important to conduct annual health examinations, wash hands frequently, get vaccinated in time, and use condoms so that we can avoid the spread of this silent enemy.” Representative of the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica.

some symptoms

✦Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

✦Swelling and abdominal pain

✦Swelling of legs and ankles

✦Itchy skin

✦Dark urine color

✦Feces that are pale or clay-colored

✦Chronic fatigue

✦Nausea or vomiting

✦Loss of appetite

✦Bruises easily

Source: Costa Rica Ministry of Health.