Counter Hepatitis

Counter Hepatitis & Greet Great Health

Hepatitis is the biggest enemy of your liver as it causes inflammation in the liver cells and also damages this vital organ. Hepatitis disrupts different processes of the liver such as detoxification of blood, storage of vitamins and hormones production.

Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types of this virus that trouble India as 40 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B and 6 to 12 million are infected with hepatitis C as per the WHO estimates. Infection with any of these viruses can be fatal. In this article, let’s learn about A, B & C types of hepatitis viruses and their prevention.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A can be caused due to the consumption of food or water infected by hepatitis A virus (HAV). Follow the below tips to avoid getting infected by hepatitis A.

Prevention

• Wash hands using soap regularly.
• Have freshly cooked food.
• Drink commercially bottled water or boiled water if you cannot trust local sanitation.
• If sanitation seems unreliable in your locality, then have peel-able fruits only.
• Have raw vegetables only if you are sure they have been disinfected or cleaned thoroughly.
• Get HAV vaccines shot before travelling to places where hepatitis may be endemic.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B and this virus spreads when a person comes in contact with infected blood, semen and some other body fluids. Prevention methods of hepatitis B are given below.

• Inform your sex partner if you have hepatitis B or try to learn whether your partner carries the disease.
• Use condoms to ensure safe sex.
• Use clean and previously unused needles only.
• Don’t share razors, toothbrushes and manicure instruments.
• Have HBV vaccine if you feel at risk.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is caused by percutaneous infection and occurs when the HCV virus gets under the skin. This disease spreads through needle-stick injuries, injected narcotics and lack of infection control in healthcare settings. You cannot get infected by this virus due to coming in contact with faeces and this disease also does not commonly transmit sexually like its other types.

Prevention

1. Avoid sharing needles, toothbrushes and manicure equipment.
2. Ensure equipment is well-sterilized while getting your skin pierced.

Hepatitis A and C can be cured and hepatitis B can be prevented only through vaccination. So, follow all above-mentioned hepatitis virus prevention methods to avoid these diseases and boost your health with more surety.