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Prevention and treatment of hepatitis
What are liver diseases?
Chronic liver diseases, including chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer, have been mortal enemies to all the people in our country. In Taiwan, about five thousand people die of liver cancer each year, while the death count per annum for liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis is four thousand. Starting 1981, liver cancer has topped the local cancer deaths for men, and ranked No. 2 of the local cancer deaths for women. Through etiology studies, liver diseases can be classified as viral liver diseases, alcoholic liver diseases, drug/toxin-induced liver diseases, and metabolism disorder-related liver diseases. There are five types, A, B, C, D, and E, of viral liver diseases. Among them, hepatitis A and B are transmitted by contaminated food or drink. Precautionary means against liver diseases is staying alert to dietetic and personal hygiene and sanitation.
Hepatitis A
Vaccines that protect against hepatitis A infection are available. However, vaccines for the prevention of hepatitis E are not yet available.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood or bodily fluids, and preventive measures include avoiding unnecessary injections, blood transfusion, tattooing, body piercing, sharing toothbrushes, and razors. Vaccination against hepatitis B is required for those yet immune with hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is transmitted via routes similar to those for Hepatitis B, mainly through blood and bodily fluids, rarely through vertical mother-to-child transmission.
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus, a defective virus that becomes infectious with the presence of hepatitis B antigen. Hepatitis D is transmitted mainly through sex with sex workers or through intravenous drug abuse. Prevention against Hepatitis D includes to prevent Hepatitis B infection, and to avoid intravenous drug injections and having unprotected sex.
Part of hepatitis B, C, and D sufferers may develop chronic liver diseases, and again, among patients of chronic liver disease, some may develop liver cirrhosis. Finally, a small number of cirrhotic patients may develop liver cancer. This is known as the triad of liver disease.
Liver cancer,
Early stages of liver cancer are asymptomatic. In most cases, patients begin seeking medical treatment after symptoms develop and cancers have already become more advanced. Liver cancer detected during early stages can be cured.
Precautions
Healthy carriers of Hepatitis B Virus shall receive blood tests every six months for examination of liver functions and detecting £\-fetoprotein. An ultrasonic examination every twelve months is required.
Chronic hepatitis B patients with steady conditions shall receive blood tests every three months for examination of liver functions and detecting £\-fetoprotein. An ultrasonic examination every six to twelve months is required. For hepatitis B patients develop cirrhosis an ultrasonic examination every four to six months is required.
Hepatitis C patients with steady conditions shall receive blood tests every three months for examination of liver functions and detecting £\-fetoprotein. An ultrasonic examination every six to twelve months is required.
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