PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS

Hepatitis is a dangerous liver disease which can lead to Liver Cancer and early death. It is an inflammation of the liver which causes Cirrhosis or liver scar. Medical experts have identifies five types of the Hepatitis Virus. These are types A, B, C, D, and E. Each one of these typologies of Hepatitis viruses has its own method of transmission and prevention. 

The universal saying that prevention is better than cure is most applicable to Hepatitis because the disease is difficult to cure and most time takes a very long period of medication. Lets look at the different ways to prevent the different types of Hepatitis viruses.


1. PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS A
Hepatitis A Virus is transmitted through oral contact with food or water that is contaminated with the Virus. Hepatitis A Virus is the only type in the Hepatitis family that does not cause chronic liver disease and is rarely fatal. However, if left untreated for a long period of time, might lead to serious liver problem. Hepatitis A can be prevented through the following methods:

 i. Vaccination:
The best and most trusted method of Hepatitis A prevention is through Vaccination. There are different vaccines available such as Vaqta and Havrix. Twinix is used for the vaccination of types A and B. These vaccines are highly effective with about 98% prevention rate.

Read also: Is Hepatitis Curable?

ii. Avoid Unprotected Sex:

Unprotected sex puts you at risk of contacting the Hepatitis A Virus. Always use condoms or latex barriers when having sex to protect yourself from HAV and other viral and STD diseases.

iii. Avoid uncooked or undercooked Shellfish:
Shellfish harvested from contaminated or sewage water can be a source of Hepatitis A Virus. Some of these Shellfish may also contain bacteria that are very harmful to the liver. For instance, the deadly microbe, Vibrio Vulnificus may be present in an undercooked Shellfish. This microbe is very dangerous to the human liver.

iv. Take Precautionary Measures when Travelling:
It is highly recommended to take serious Hepatitis precautions when travelling to areas prone to Hepatitis outbreaks.

Access to clean water is very important. Avoid raw foods that may have been washed with contaminated water. Use bottled water for drinking, brushing of teeth, washing of fruits and vegetables.

v. Always Wash your hands with Soap:
Hepatitis A can enter the body through the mouth. One may unknowingly infect himself or herself by handling contaminated objects or even foodstuffs. Always wash your hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, bathroom, and before preparing or eating food.

See Other Informative Articles on this Blog

2. PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS B is discussed in details in another Article. Click HERE to read it.

3. PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS C

Hepatitis C is transmitted or contacted through blood. Chronic Hepatitis C disease can damage the liver and lead to early death. According to Wikipedia, ''a vaccine capable of protecting against Hepatitis C, is not available. ...... but several vaccines are currently under development."

It is therefore recommended that you stay away from actions, and avoid inactions that might expose you to this deadly Virus that can irreparably damage your liver.

Some of the preventive measures are as follow:

i. Go for Hepatitis C Screening:
One of the major problems of Hepatitis C disease is that most infected persons do not display symptoms at the early stage. It is recommended to go for test to determine your status. Early detection will help prevent the Hepatitis C Virus from advancing to chronic stage where treatment might be more difficult.

ii. Avoid Intravenous Drugs with Shared Syringes:
The practice, use or sharing of intravenous illicit drug paraphernalia can lead to the transmission and spread of Hepatitis C virus; with its consequences such as liver cancer, cirrhosis or scarring of the liver, and even early death.

Apart from Hepatitis C infection, illicit drugs that are administered intravenously; or through other needle routes such as intramuscular, or subcutaneously, exposes the user to the risks of other blood-borne infections.

Read also: Foods Hepatitis Patients Should Avoid

iii. Practice Safe Sex:
Unprotected sex can lead to the transmission and spread of Hepatitis C, especially anal sex. Using condom during sex is one of the most effective methods to prevent Hepatitis C Virus and other STDs. Unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners increases the risk of contacting the disease.

iv. Avoid the Use of Unscreened Blood for Transfusion:
Screening and testing of blood samples before transfusion will prevent the risk of contacting Hepatitis C Virus and other diseases.

Unscreened blood transfusion exposes the receiver to the dangers of this deadly Virus, and other bacteria and viral pathogens that can put the liver and life at great risk.

v. Avoid Sharing of Personal Items:
Exposure to small amount of contaminated blood can lead to infection of Hepatic C virus. Do not share personal items like toothbrush, scissors, razor, and other such personal sharp objects that may have contact with the blood of an infected person. Use appropriate sterilization procedures for tools and equipment when getting tattoo or any other form of body piercing for the prevention of Hepatitis C Virus.

4. PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS D
hepatitis D is caused by the Hepatitis D Virus. This Virus is deadly, but it cannot occurs except in people who are already infected with Hepatitis B Virus. Hepatitis D is spread through blood and other body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and saliva. The Virus is prevented in almost similar way to Hepatitis B Virus because it is a blood-borne Virus. Let's look at some methods of Hepatitis D prevention.

i. Vaccination against Hepatitis B Virus:
As observed above, Hepatitis D affects only people who have been exposed to Hepatitis B Virus. The logic is that vaccination against HBV is indirectly a vaccination against HDV.

There is no special Vaccine for Hepatitis D Virus because it is an incomplete virus that requires the existence of Hepatitis B to function and replicate. However, the drug, Pegylated Interferon Alpha is effective in reducing its viral overload.

ii. Treat Hepatitis B Infection as soon as Detected:
Go for test for early detection and treatment of HBV to prevent coinfection or superinfection with HDV. Early detection is very important in all Hepatitis types.

To prevent Hepatitis D, it is highly recommended that if you are not vaccinated, you should at least try to know your status once every year, especially if you are exposed to environment prone to Hepatitis outbreaks, or in contact with a Carrier.

iii. Do not Engage in Risky Sexual Activities:
Endeavor to always engage in safe sex to prevent Hepatitis D. With the number of STDs flying all over the place, having unprotected sex will no doubt expose you to the risks of acquiring HDV, or one of those deadly sexually transmitted pathogens out there, which may be difficult to cure and may lead to early death.

Using condom or dental dam reduces the risk of infection in vaginal, anal and oral sex. It is recommended to practice safe sex,  and total disclosure of your Hepatitis status to your sexual partners and immediate family members to prevent spread of the Virus.

See Herbal Cure For Hepatitis 

iv. Avoid Sharing Sharp Objects:
As observed earlier, the sharing of needles, syringes and other intravenous objects in the use of illicit drugs is a very risky behavior that may lead to exposure to any of the Hepatitis viruses. If you must use drugs, try to strictly stick to the use of your personal needles.

Avoid the sharing of nail clippers, razor blades, toothbrush etc. Be conscious of the importance of your liver to your existence. Protect and preserve your liver from the deadly Hepatitis Virus.

v. Vaccination at Birth:
Prenatal transmission from mother to child is one of the most common ways of spreading Hepatitis B Virus, and by implications, the Hepatitis D type. Vaccination at birth helps to minimize this ugly trend and equally prevent post delivery transmission.

It is recommended that all pregnant women should be tested and screened for Hepatitis B and D viruses. This will enable precautionary measures to be adopted to prevent mother to child transmission. As stated above, all the methods of prevention of HBV are also applicable to HDV, including avoidance of unscreened blood transfusion. 

5. PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS E

Hepatitis E virus is transmitted through faecal-oral routes. It is basically spread by contaminated water within an endemic environment. The Virus is found Worldwide, but it is most prevalent in resource-limited countries of Asia and Africa. Hepatitis E Virus can be prevented through the following methods:

i. Good Sanitation:
Poor sanitation allows Hepatitis E Virus excreted in faeces of infected persons to contaminate drinking water thereby leading to outbreak. Prevention of Hepatitis E is basically a matter of good sanitation and availability of clean drinking water.

ii. Maintaining Standard Hygienic Practice:
Standard hygienic practices such as washing of hands with soap and clean water before cooking, eating, and handling of foods, reduces the risk of exposure to HEV. Avoid eating of raw vegetables and fruits washed with contaminated or any water that is of unknown source.

iii. Avoid Eating of Raw or Undercooked Shellfish:
Shellfish harvested from contaminated water are likely to contain Hepatitis E Virus, or other deadly microbes that may be dangerous to your liver. Do not eat uncooked or undercooked Shellfish such as Oysters, Crabs, Shrimps etc.

iv. Take Precautionary Measures when Travelling:
You must accept the fact that clean water is not available universally. When you are travelling, especially to Developing countries prone to Hepatitis outbreaks, special precaution is necessary to protect and prevent yourself from the risk of exposure to Hepatitis Virus.

v. Vaccination:
The safest method to prevent Hepatitis E Virus is through vaccination. However, the vaccines for HEV is only available presently in China, where the Recombinant HEV239 Vaccine was developed and licensed.

It is recommended that those who do not have access to the Vaccine should practice other methods of Hepatitis E prevention to stay safe and healthy.

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