Mexico City, 29 July (EL UNIVERSAL). – Last Friday, 28 July, World Hepatitis Day was observed to strengthen the international community’s fight against the disease.
An article published by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) estimates that 57% of cirrhosis cases and 78% of primary liver cancer cases are caused by hepatitis B and C viruses.
But what is hepatitis? It is a disease caused by a virus that has killed thousands of people worldwide, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
Also, an article in the Merck Handbook of General Medical Information. “Acute viral hepatitis is systemic liver inflammation caused by a specific virus with different modes of transmission and different epidemiology,” the report said.
The undersecretary for prevention and health promotion, Hugo López-Gatel Ramirez, therefore warned on Friday morning of the contagious form of the disease.
What are the risks of getting hepatitis C?
López-Gatell reports that 1.7 million new hepatitis C infections worldwide are due to injecting drugs with a syringe.
“Hepatitis C damages the liver and over a period of several years can lead to cirrhosis, or possibly liver cancer, in addition to a complete loss of liver function,” he said.
Nearly 9 in 10 people who inject drugs become infected by ingesting harmful substances with sharp instruments, he warned.
He also stressed that Mexico has developed strategies to prevent hepatitis cases.
What are the types of hepatitis?
It is worth noting that there are several types of hepatitis, namely A, B, C, D, and E. According to the National Institutes of Health’s National Diabetes Institute, each type is characterized by:
Hepatitis A causes only an acute infection and usually gets better after a few weeks without treatment. It spreads from person to person by putting in the mouth an object contaminated with the feces of an infected person.
Hepatitis B and C can cause acute or chronic infection. It is spread by direct contact with infected bodily fluids, usually through needle sticks or sexual contact.
Hepatitis D virus is rare because you can only get it if you are already infected with hepatitis B virus. It can be spread through contact with blood and other bodily fluids.
Hepatitis E is an acute infection that gets better in a few weeks without treatment. It is usually spread by ingesting something contaminated with the feces of an infected person.