• Hepatitis C is a preventable and curable disease. Timely detection can lead to timely treatment and avoid complications.
• It is estimated that 6 out of every 1,000 people in our country may have hepatitis C and be asymptomatic or develop symptoms many years later.
The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) has a permanent program for the timely detection of hepatitis C through rapid testing of beneficiaries over the age of 18.
Dr. Juan Gabriel Barrera Acosta, the primary medical coordinator, mentioned that hepatitis C is a preventable and treatable disease, and early diagnosis can lead to timely treatment to avoid cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer and other complications. avoided.
He commented that the rapid screening test for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) involves taking a small prick on the finger, taking a drop of blood and analyzing the sample to get results within 5 to 5 days. 10 minutes.
He noted that if suspicious results are obtained, laboratory testing to determine the presence of the hepatitis C virus is recommended.
Barrera Acosta emphasized that if adults over the age of 18 belong to the key group, that is, if they have high-risk factors, they should pay more attention to rapid testing.
He noted that hepatitis C is transmitted in the form of exchanging bodily fluids with an infected person through unprotected sexual contact, contaminated needles or sharp objects, and in the case of health workers, it could be the consumption of poisonous substances or while on the job.
The Medical Coordinator of Primary Care in the State of Colima invites people to raise awareness about the importance of liver health, since in our country it is estimated that 6 out of every 1000 people may have hepatitis C, be asymptomatic or have hepatitis C. Symptoms appear years later.
Finally, he invites beneficiaries to take the test in the PreventIMSS module, which provides care in the Family Medicine Unit (UMF) Monday through Friday from 08:00 am to 07:00 pm. Saturday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, UMF Hospital No. 17 and 19 and General Hospital of Family Medicine Division (HGSZ/MF) No. 4; 8:00 am to 7:00 pm at UMF No. 16 and 18 .