Hepatitis Vaccine: How to prevent Hepatitis A, B, C
There are several methods to avoid or keep a check on hepatitis, which includes two primary habits of getting a vaccine as well as washing your hands well every now and then (especially before and after food consumption). Besides, there are three major types of hepatitis as mentioned below.
Types of Hepatitis: A, B, and C
Mainly, there are three types of hepatitis, and each one has different effects and symptoms. Some of the indicators may appear similar, though, there are different suggested treatments for them.
Hepatitis A:
This type of Hepatitis usually doesn’t cause any complication and is curable with Hepatitis Vaccine and medication. In this case, the expected time to heal for your liver is around 2-3 months. Hepatitis A is a virus-related liver illness that may cause mild to severe adverse effect on your body. HAV or the hepatitis A virus is transferred through absorption of contaminated water and food or through straight contact with an infected person.
Hepatitis B:
If not vaccinated or treated well then this type may cause long term infection. Mostly, this type of Hepatitis is curable though, you must be very careful and take proper medical help and Hepatitis drugs or else you may end up spreading the disease.
Hepatitis C:
Many patients suffering from this type of Hepatitis don’t have any symptoms and about 80% of them get a long-term infection. This may at times lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver. There is no vaccination available to prevent it.
Can Hepatitis Be Treated?
The best way to prevent Hepatitis is to get Hepatitis vaccines prior hand. If you suspect having Hepatitis or feel the symptoms, your doctor is likely to check how your liver is functioning though, there aren’t any solid treatments to cure it completely if detected at later stages. It is a choric disease thereby, it is very important to consult with your doctor as how to go about it!
There are some Hepatitis drugs that treat long-term Hepatitis B, such as:
- Entecavir (Baraclude)
- Interferon
- Adefovir (Hepsera)
- Lamivudine
- Tenofovir (Viread)
- Telbivudine (Tyzeka)
Similarly, there are other Hepatitis B vaccines to subdue to effect of this type. You may take immediate medical help if you suspect to feel the symptoms or is detected with Hepatitis A, B or C.
In case of Hepatitis C, some people recover on getting a combination of the drugs peg interferon alpha and ribavirin. Though, there are side effects to this usage, comprising severe anemia (low red blood cells) along with birth defects, to name a few.
Your doctor may suggest some other drugs for Hepatitis C, which has a higher curable rate and may be better endured by your body, including:
- Elbasvir /grazoprevir (Zepatier)
- Daclatasvir (Daklinza)
- Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir (Harvoni)
- Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi)
- Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir
- Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir (Epclusa)
How to Prevent Hepatitis at initial levels:
The best way to prevent hepatitis A, B or C is to get a vaccine. Kids should get a shot around their first birthday to avoid contacting this deadly disease.
In case you are planning for a trip to any of the places where there are possible outbreaks of hepatitis, then keep in mind that the vaccine only starts to work 2 to 4 weeks post you get it. Also, in case you want lasting protection, you would need a follow-up shot around 6 to 12 months later.
Remember that this disease is contagious so consider following a few healthy steps to avoid contacting such chronic diseases:
- Avoid open street food (check the hygiene level)
- Try consuming bottled water only. Contaminated water is the cause of many avoidable diseases. You may also boil tap water before consuming it in case bottled water is unavailable
- Skip using ice cubes from the market
- Skip dairy products, undercooked fish and meat
- Wash your hands thoroughly before or after food consumption and even on regular intervals like post using the wash room
Be more cautious if you work at a hospital, day care center or any such place where lots of people are in close quarters, particularly if you are in contact with an ill person’s blood, stool, saliva, or further body fluids.
Stay cautious, stay healthy and check out the range of Hepatitis vaccines and Hepatitis drugs at your nearby medical store or online pharmacy.