Hepatitis is endemic in Egypt with the highest prevalence rate in the world especially virus C. With stimated 170,000 new cases every year, the total number of Egyptians infected by hepatitis reached around 12 million in 2017. Hepatitis is a serious liver inflammatory disease caused by mainly 3 viruses: A, B and C. However, the spread of the viruses can be controlled by simple steps, but first we need to know how the viruses A, B and C are transmitted then how to avoid these infections.
Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids, including semen or vaginal fluid of an infected person. However, it was never reported to be transmitted through breast feeding.
Hepatitis C virus is spread through direct contact with infected blood. Very rarely it may be passed on through other body fluids or breast feeding.
Hepatitis A is excreted through the feces of an infected person and you can become infected, if you ingest contaminated food or water.
Now the precautions we should follow to eliminate the infection includes:
- Vaccine
- i) Hepatitis A vaccine is given as a series of two shots six months apart
- ii) Hepatitis B vaccine reduced the infections by 95%. It is given in a series of three or four shots over six months
iii) Unfortunately, Hepatitis C has no vaccine till now but it has several effective treatments
- Practice safer sex
Use a latex or polyurethane condom when you have sex.
Know the history of your partner to be extra cautious as vaginal secretions and seminal fluid can transmit virus C
- Avoid sharing personal items
Needles, Tooth-brushes, tweezers, pins, syringes, razors or glucose monitor are for personal use only and should not be shared even with the closest persons to you.
- Ease on Alcohol and illegal drugs
Don’t use someone else’s needle if you inject illicit drugs.
Too much alcohol or more than 2 cups a day can cause alcoholic fatty liver which eases the infection and can get you in such serious complications.
- Personal hygiene
Wash your hands well after you go to the restroom, change diapers, or before you eat or serve food.
The good news is that both hepatitis B and C cannot be transmitted by kissing, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sharing glasses or silverware.
- Avoid Contaminated food and water
Brushing your teeth or washing with contaminated water may put you at risk.
Avoid ingesting any water when taking a shower or swimming.
Do not buy food from street vendors.
If no water is available, boiling water is the best method for eliminating hepatitis A. Bringing the water to a full boil for at least 1 minute generally makes it safe to drink.
Heated food should be hot to the touch and eaten right away.
Don’t sip on cocktails and other drinks with ice cubes.
Don’t order salads or fresh fruit from restaurants, since you don’t know if it was washed with clean water or not
- Tattoos shops
Only get tattoos and piercings from shops that can show you how they sterilize their gear.
- Do not forget the safety measures while travelling
There are some hot spots where the infection prevalence is at the peak including Africa, Asia (except Japan), the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, Mexico and Parts of the Caribbean. If you are travelling to any of the mentioned countries then you need to follow the rest of the instructions mentioned above to avoid catching any infection.