80 percent of people do not know they are infected with this virus

According to experts, 325 million people suffer from hepatitis worldwide. It is estimated that in Poland there may be about 165. people living with hepatitis C and 500 who carry the virus that causes hepatitis B. Currently, the most serious problem is that 80 percent of patients do not know about their infection.

1. In Poland, about 165 are infected with HCV. people. So far, only about 60 have been diagnosed. of them
2. Hepatitis C has been recognized as one of the world’s largest epidemiological threats
3. The biggest problem is the unidentified number of people infected with HCV

Viral Hepatitis and HCV

Hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease caused by the HCV virus. In some patients, after many years of duration, it can lead to complete destruction of this organ: cirrhosis, liver failure, and finally to hepatocellular carcinoma. – It is estimated that about 165 people are infected with HCV in Poland. people, but so far only about 60 thousand have been diagnosed. of them. This means that many people may not be aware of the infection, says Prof. dr hab. n. med. Piotr Małkowski from the Medical University of Warsaw.

Infection with the virus can occur when the blood of an HCV infected person enters the bloodstream of a healthy person. – People who have ever undergone medical or non-medical procedures with the use of non-sterile equipment, such as surgeries, endoscopic procedures, dental procedures or cosmetic procedures such as manicures, tattoos or acupuncture, during which the continuity of tissues has been broken (damaged skin), may be exposed to virus infection. ) – adds Barbara Pepke, President of the Star of Hope Foundation. People who were hospitalized before 1992 or who received blood transfusions and blood products during that time are also at risk. Vaccine cannot protect against HCV infection.

Hepatitis – a global epidemic

Viral Hepatitis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is responsible for the deaths of 1,34 million people a year, more than HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Hepatitis C has also been recognized as one of the world’s largest epidemiological threats. In 2016, WHO adopted a global strategy on viral hepatitis, including the elimination of hepatitis B and C by 2030. It was signed by as many as 194 governments, including Poland. The document contains a number of goals related to the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis, the implementation of which will reduce the annual number of deaths by 65%. and will increase the cure rate to 80%, saving as many as 2030 million human lives around the world by 7,1, incl. vaccination of 90 percent. newborns against hepatitis B immediately after birth; 100% survey donated blood; ensuring safety of 90% puncture; disease awareness in 90% sick; treatment coverage of 80 percent sick.

A disease that can be cured

For several years, the so-called antiviral drugs have been available in the world. DAA (Direct Acting Antivirals). Thanks to them, today it is possible to get rid of HCV from the body. They provide treatment effectiveness up to 100%. with a high safety profile, negligible side effects and a short, only three-month therapy. Contrary to the treatments available a few years earlier, experts recognize this change as a revolution in HCV treatment. Since 2015, new therapies are also available in Poland under the NHF drug program “Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon-free therapy”. The effectiveness of drugs and the possibility of being cured under reimbursement gave doctors the tools to introduce an HCV elimination (eradication) scenario in Poland. Additionally, the program introduced the possibility of performing elastography – a non-invasive examination of the liver as an alternative to biopsy.

Let’s find millions of infected

Currently, the biggest problem regarding HCV is the unidentified number of people infected with HCV. It is estimated that there are 160 million of them in the world, in Poland it is 200 thousand. people. The dangerous thing is that as much as 80 percent. of them do not know about their infection, posing a threat to the environment and preventing the eradication of the virus in Poland. Therefore, the challenge for both decision-makers, doctors and society is to find the missing millions – that is, those people who unknowingly infect others with HCV.

Effective tools

In Poland, the government is implementing step by step solutions to cure patients infected with HCV. A drug program was introduced, to which new drugs are constantly added, expanding the range of therapeutic possibilities, and financial resources for therapies were increased to eliminate queues for treatment. However, there are no tools that would allow systemic catching of those people who, according to specific criteria, are at an increased risk of carrying the virus. Whether a given person is in such a group could be determined by a primary health care physician. Hence the initiative of the Hepatology Coalition and the Polish Hepatological Society to submit to the Minister of Health the concept of introducing the possibility of conducting free anti-HCV tests at the health care level. This idea has already received a positive opinion from AOTMiT (Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffs). Currently, it is awaiting the decision of the Minister of Health.