It is called the silent killer for a reason. It works insidiously and covertly, and its symptoms do not appear until several years after the infection. Type C Awareness Week is the perfect time to take care of yourself and your loved ones. A quarter of an hour is enough to find out if you are free from the virus …
Not only COVID-19
World experts agree: the coronavirus did not make other diseases disappear. In the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, hepatitis C (hepatitis C) is still a serious threat. It is estimated that in Poland, HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) infection affects an estimated 150 people *, of which over 000% ** of them are not aware of the infection. How it’s possible?
Our vigilance lulls the latent course of the disease – in about 80 percent. the infected symptoms do not occur. In the rest, they are non-specific and often not associated with infection – the most common of them are general weakness, joint pain, painful muscle spasms, itching of the skin, loss of appetite, nausea and excessive sleepiness.
The “ticking bomb” must not be underestimated – the consequences of an untreated disease can be dire – HCV (hepatitis C) virus destroys our liver, leading to its cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and even death. The importance of the risk of hepatitis C was noticed already in 2016 by the World Health Organization, adopting the strategy (GHSS – Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis for 2016-2021), thanks to which each member state is obliged to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030. Globally, efforts are being made to increase general knowledge about the risk of hepatitis infection, as well as access to treatment.
A detected infection is a life saved
As part of the Hepatitis C Awareness Week, each of us has the opportunity to join the global strategy and change the mortality statistics. After all, prophylaxis is the best way to detect the disease early and effectively fight it.
It is enough to come to one of over 350 ALAB collection points laboratories all over Poland and take advantage of the free anti-HCV test, which will check if there are virus antibodies in our body. The test is quick, safe and you do not need to prepare for it – it consists in pricking the fingertip and collecting 1-2 drops of blood. The anti-HCV test result is known after a quarter of an hour and most importantly, if ALAB turns out to be positive, laboratories guarantee further free diagnostics.
Let us not forget that timing is of the essence in the treatment of hepatitis C. The sooner we detect and combat HCV, the better the chance of avoiding serious health consequences. The fact that there is no vaccine for hepatitis C does not mean that we are defenseless.
Since 2015, drugs have been available in Poland, thanks to which HCV infection has become the only curable chronic infectious disease. It is an effective tool known in medicine as a breakthrough and a very good medical standard in many countries.
Both you and me
Finally, remember: although HCV is transmitted primarily through the blood, risk factors for HCV infection are diverse and common. All events in which the continuity of the skin or mucous membranes (injection, puncture, incision) is broken are potentially dangerous. While in the past infections occurred most often in hospital conditions, today HCV transmission occurs mainly due to non-compliance with established sanitary and hygienic standards as a result of ignorance or neglect.
Infection can occur both during medical procedures (injections, blood sampling, surgical and dental procedures), as well as during a visit to a hairdresser, beauty salon or tattoo studio. HCV infection can also happen at home, if family members use common hygiene utensils such as a toothbrush, razor or other sharp cosmetic tools. The fact that we do not have disease symptoms does not necessarily mean that we are virus-free. The only way to find out that HCV does not apply to us is to perform a simple test …
The organizer of the Hepatitis C Awareness Week is ALAB laboratories, in cooperation with AbbVie Polska. The patronage over the event was taken by the Polish Society of Epidemiologists and Doctors of Infectious Diseases. Detailed information along with the current list of all facilities where you can take the free test can be found at https://www.alablaboratoria.pl/19725-zapkuje-na-bezplatny-test-kfinansacyjny-do-diagnostyki-hcv-we- all-points-downloaded-alab-laboratories