The therapist talked about the prevention of viral hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease that can develop under the influence of various factors, including viruses, autoimmune processes, metabolic disorders, and toxins found, for example, in alcohol. Svetlana Nemova, a general practitioner at the Sberbank Health medical company, told Izvestia on July 28 how they are transmitted, what symptoms they are accompanied by, and what needs to be done for prevention.
There are five main types of viral hepatitis – A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted by the fecal-oral route — through contaminated water, food, and household items, such as infected dishes or toys. Hepatitis B, C and D are transmitted parenterally: through blood, unprotected sexual intercourse, non-sterile instruments, for example, medical, as well as from mother to child during childbirth.
The symptoms of viral hepatitis depend on the type of virus and the stage of the disease. Common manifestations include: jaundice of the skin, mucous membranes and sclera of the eyes, soreness in the right hypochondrium, discolored feces, dark urine, muscle pain, fever up to 39 degrees, general weakness. The symptoms are similar to those of non-viral hepatitis.
"Some types of viral hepatitis, as well as non-viral forms of this disease, have a high probability of chronicling the inflammatory process. Without timely treatment, this can lead to serious complications, such as cirrhosis of the liver, a condition in which normal organ tissue is replaced by scar tissue, which leads to impaired function, liver failure, and the development of liver malignancies," the doctor emphasized.
There is a specific and non-specific prevention of viral hepatitis. Vaccination is specific — hepatitis A and B vaccines are currently available in Russia. At the same time, vaccination against hepatitis B indirectly provides protection against hepatitis D, since this virus is unable to exist in liver cells on its own, without the presence of the hepatitis B virus. There is currently no vaccination against hepatitis C, but active scientific research is underway in this area.
The hepatitis A vaccine is not included in the mandatory list of the National Vaccination Calendar, but it is recommended to be given to people at increased risk of infection, among them: tourists who travel to regions with a high prevalence of infection, for example, in Asia and Africa; food industry workers; medical personnel and patients with chronic liver diseases. Hepatitis A vaccination can be carried out starting from the first year of a child's life.
Hepatitis B vaccination is included in the National Preventive Vaccination Calendar. It is performed for all newborns in the first 24 hours of life. The vaccination schedule includes intramuscular administration of 3 doses of vaccines: the first on the day of the child's birth, the second one a month later, and the third one 6 months after the first injection.
"If the mother is a carrier of this virus, the newborn is given a single dose of hepatitis B immunoglobulin along with the first dose of the vaccine. This is a ready—made set of antibodies, which also provides protection until the child's own immunity is formed," the expert added.
Immunity, formed after completing a full course of hepatitis B vaccination, persists for a long time, and most people usually do not need to be vaccinated again.
On May 14, Vladimir Neronov, an infectious disease specialist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), MD, told Izvestia about the importance of vaccinations when planning a trip abroad. He warned that there are diseases specific to specific regions. For example, yellow fever is common in tropical countries in Africa and Latin America. Without a vaccination certificate, entry to some countries may be prohibited.
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