Date : Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Time : 16:18
Title : Prevention and treatments for HBV and HCV
Time : 16:18
Title : Prevention and treatments for HBV and HCV
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. There are safe and effective vaccines to protect infants, children and adults
from hepatitis B. Some examples of HBV vaccines are Recombivax
HB and Engerix-B. Both of these vaccines require three injections administered
over a six-month period. The side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine are usually
mild and may include soreness at the injection site and mild flu-like symptoms.
The HBV vaccine is generally effective for more than 90 percent of adults and
children who receive all three doses. People with compromised immune systems
may be less likely to develop immunity to HBV through vaccination.
Other ways to prevent hepatitis B are to wear gloves when exposed to blood or body fluids and to practise safe sex. Health care workers should follow standard precautions and handle needles and sharps safely. People with acute hepatitis B do not require medical treatment. They would need to make sure that they eat well, drink plenty of fluids and to avoid alcohol and drugs. Medicine is usually not given to a patient unless one is very sick, such as one who is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B. The goal of treatment is to stop liver damage by keeping the virus from multiplying.
There are now very effective medications such as Interferon-alpha and Adefovir dipivoxil that can suppress the virus over many years. These can slow down the damage being done to the liver, allowing the body to repair itself. However, it is unusual for this treatment to clear the virus permanently. Medicine only slows the ability of the virus to multiply. However, if one has a very serious case of HBV, such as having advanced liver damage, one may need a liver transplant.
The preventions for Hepatitis C are similar to those mentioned for Hepatitis B as both are blood-borne diseases. However, unlike HBV, there is no vaccine to prevent HCV infection. However, if you do not have hep C, there are still preventative measures that can be taken against it. Some measures include not to share needles, Avoid direct exposure to blood or blood products as well as to practise safe sex. Always remember not to share needles as there may be virus present in them that are used with illicit drugs. While the chances of HCV transmission through sexual activity is low, condoms are generally advised to reduce the risk of transmitting HCV, along with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Drugs such as interferon and ribavirin can be used to fight HCV. The cure rate increased tremendously from less than 5% in the 1980s to about 50% by the early 2000s. However, there are side effects to these drugs such as muscle aches, fever, nausea, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.
Below are some videos that elaborate more on the preventions of HBV and HCV, enjoy! :)
Other ways to prevent hepatitis B are to wear gloves when exposed to blood or body fluids and to practise safe sex. Health care workers should follow standard precautions and handle needles and sharps safely. People with acute hepatitis B do not require medical treatment. They would need to make sure that they eat well, drink plenty of fluids and to avoid alcohol and drugs. Medicine is usually not given to a patient unless one is very sick, such as one who is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B. The goal of treatment is to stop liver damage by keeping the virus from multiplying.
There are now very effective medications such as Interferon-alpha and Adefovir dipivoxil that can suppress the virus over many years. These can slow down the damage being done to the liver, allowing the body to repair itself. However, it is unusual for this treatment to clear the virus permanently. Medicine only slows the ability of the virus to multiply. However, if one has a very serious case of HBV, such as having advanced liver damage, one may need a liver transplant.
The preventions for Hepatitis C are similar to those mentioned for Hepatitis B as both are blood-borne diseases. However, unlike HBV, there is no vaccine to prevent HCV infection. However, if you do not have hep C, there are still preventative measures that can be taken against it. Some measures include not to share needles, Avoid direct exposure to blood or blood products as well as to practise safe sex. Always remember not to share needles as there may be virus present in them that are used with illicit drugs. While the chances of HCV transmission through sexual activity is low, condoms are generally advised to reduce the risk of transmitting HCV, along with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Drugs such as interferon and ribavirin can be used to fight HCV. The cure rate increased tremendously from less than 5% in the 1980s to about 50% by the early 2000s. However, there are side effects to these drugs such as muscle aches, fever, nausea, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.
Below are some videos that elaborate more on the preventions of HBV and HCV, enjoy! :)