The liver is a vital organ that performs several functions. It aids in detoxification, protein synthesis and production of biochemicals needed for digestion. The liver also plays a major role in metabolism. All of the liver functions are necessary for us to live. Just one malfunction can already cause major damage.
There are a wide variety of diseases that affect the liver. Hepatitis is one of them. Hepatitis is a serious problem worldwide. An estimate of about 30,000 people get hepatitis A alone every year.
Since hepatitis is spread either by direct contact, transmission, food contamination, and the like, there is a higher chance of getting the disease. However, there are several ways in which we can avoid getting infected.
There are hepatitis vaccines that you can get in health clinics or hospitals. They are safe and provide a long-lasting effect and is usually given in 2 doses – the second dose given after 6 months. Infants are administered immune serum globulin (ISG) since they are still young to get vaccines. Seek advice from your family physician for the right vaccine against hepatitis A and B.
Make sure to drink only clean water and well-cooked food as food contamination is more prone to hepatitis A infection. When traveling, make sure the place where you are eating is clean and try to avoid eating and buying from street stalls. Do not drink tap water. Wash your hands before and after eating.
Practice proper hygiene. Do not share personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, and so on. Be wary of needles used in piercings and tattoos as you can get infected if the tools used were not sterilized. Practice safe sex, or abstain from doing sexual intercourse to lessen your chances of getting infected.
Hepatitis can also be acquired from contaminated needles and syringes. Drug awareness programs can help explain the dangers of drug use and how it can transmit hepatitis.
Simply follow proper hygiene and these precautions to avoid getting infected with the hepatitis disease.