78 percent Poles have never tested for HCV infection, which is the cause of hepatitis C (hepatitis C) – according to the TNS Polska study. Meanwhile, as much as 81 percent. it found itself in a situation where it could have happened.
What is HCV?
HCV is the virus that causes hepatitis C. It is spread by contact with infected blood. There are still many stereotypes in society about how to get infected with it. It is important to know that you cannot get this virus by simply kissing or hugging an infected person. There is also no scientific evidence that HCV can be transmitted by sneezing, coughing, shaking hands, or eating together. Infection can occur during surgery or other activities that damage the skin, carried out carelessly or with the use of poorly sterilized medical equipment or cosmetic utensils.
According to the latest data (Project KIK / 35 “Prevention of HCV infections”), the number of adults with chronic HCV infection in the general population in Poland has been estimated at 165. (0.5-1,0% of the general population) of which about 120 thousand. remains unrecognized. Most people infected with HCV are unaware of their disease. So far, only about 60 have been diagnosed. sick.
Invisible symptoms – difficulty in diagnosis
HCV virus is often called a silent killer because the infection is asymptomatic or the symptoms are uncharacteristic. Only 20 percent. patients have yellowing of the skin, anorexia or abdominal pain. Sometimes, HCV infected patients develop symptoms that are not specific for liver disease, which does not facilitate an accurate diagnosis. These include, for example, long-term fatigue, drowsiness, apathy or depression. Sometimes there are pain in the joints, muscles and skin changes. The disease can remain hidden even for several dozen years. During this time, it effectively destroys the sick person’s liver, which can lead to cirrhosis or failure of this organ, and even the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
It is worth researching!
Raising the awareness of Poles related to HCV is extremely important. The more that today we have drugs that are almost 100 percent cases eliminate the virus from the body. I was an infected person myself and I managed to heal thanks to access to modern therapies. It is also worth adding that the treatment is fully reimbursed by the National Health Fund – says Sebastian Gawlik, Project Coordinator, Urszula Jaworska Foundation.
The Urszula Jaworska Foundation together with partners as part of the nationwide campaign “Get infected with knowledge, don’t get infected with HCV” invites you to take advantage of free HCV antibody testing. The tests will be performed in 12 clinics belonging to the Świat Zdrowia network in Warsaw, Płock, Dąbrówka, Grójec, Gostynin, Słupno, Sokołów, Józefków and Lucień. The action runs from July 8 to August 31, 2019.
To use the examination, it is enough to go to the clinic participating in the campaign. You do not need to prepare for the test, you do not need to be on an empty stomach, and the test itself is painless and consists in taking a few drops of blood from the fingertip. We get the result in about 15 minutes.
The list of outlets participating in the campaign is available at: https://www.facebook.com/PanWatroba/ and https://www.swiat-zdrowia.pl/
On July 28, World Hepatitis Day is celebrated around the world. Hepatitis B and C cause 1,3 million deaths each year – more than HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Together, these viruses cause two out of three liver cancer deaths worldwide. Over 300 million people live with WCW unaware of their disease. Viral hepatitis is the fourth WHO recognized disease (along with malaria, tuberculosis and HIV / AIDS) to receive support from the WHO (World Health Organization).