Because contaminated water is one of the risk factors for hepatitis infection, it is crucial to take precautions against this deadly disease, especially during the rainy season.
Digital Desk: Every year on July 28, World Hepatitis Day is observed to
promote awareness about viral hepatitis, which results in liver inflammation
and can cause serious illness and liver cancer (World Health Organization). By
2030, immunizations and increased awareness will be able to stop 4.5 million
premature Hepatitis deaths in low- and middle-income nations.
Hepatitis is basically an inflammation of the liver that can be brought
on by an injury or an infection. Hepatitis is typically a viral infection
brought on by the hepatitis virus. This virus has five recognized varieties,
which are categorized from A through E.
Because contaminated water is one of the risk factors for hepatitis
infection, it is crucial to take precautions against this deadly disease,
especially during the rainy season.
"Two weeks to six months after infection, hepatitis begins to
manifest symptoms. The timing of the symptoms varies slightly depending on the
type of hepatitis virus you have. The signs and symptoms include jaundice,
fever, dark urine, clay-colored stool, exhaustion, and vomiting "Dr. S. K.
Sahoo, a general physician with the Apollo 24|7 app, explains the hepatitis
symptoms.
In a media interview, Dr. Sahoo also discusses the lifestyle choices
that can increase your risk of contracting hepatitis.
• Multiple partners engaging in unprotected sex: A person can contract
the hepatitis virus by coming into touch with the body fluids, including semen,
of an infected individual. Due to the increased danger of catching the virus
from unprotected sex with several partners, one should exercise extreme caution.
• Contaminated needles: If you use intravenous recreational drugs, you
may be more likely to contract hepatitis since a contaminated needle will make
the virus' ideal vehicle for spreading from an infected person to a healthy
one.
• Drinking alcohol: Alcohol impairs your liver's capacity to combat the
hepatitis virus. Therefore, it is better to avoid drinking excessive amounts of
alcohol if you wish to prevent contracting hepatitis.
• Unhygienic eating practices: Not washing your hands before and after eating,
purchasing food from roadside vendors, etc. are all hepatitis risk factors
because they raise your chance of contracting the virus.
• Drinking untreated water: The hepatitis virus can survive for a long
time in untreated water, and if swallowed, it can enter a person's body.
Hepatitis infections are more common in low- and middle-income nations where
access to clean drinking water is scarce.
• Sedentary lifestyle: As the body's immune system weakens, leading an
inactive lifestyle also increases your risk of contracting hepatitis.
Hepatitis safety tips - The first and most important precaution one
should take to avoid contracting hepatitis is to live in a safe and sanitary
environment.
- Along with the aforementioned lifestyle modifications, vaccination
against certain virus strains also aids in infection prevention.
Dr. Sahoo says, "Since the symptoms of hepatitis infections do not
manifest early, it becomes vital to have lab testing performed as soon as the
first symptoms begin to manifest to prevent severe liver damage.
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