Beware Of Hepatitis, Diseases Without Symptoms That Can Cause Fatal

JAKARTA - Hepatitis is one of the diseases that is often not detected in the early stages because of its minimal or no symptoms. In Indonesia, the low level of public awareness to vaccinate and a less hygienic lifestyle has also exacerbated the spread of this disease.

In fact, hepatitis can be serious about liver health and interfere with body function as a whole.

Internal medicine specialist from Siloam Hospital, Kebon Jeruk, dr. Steven Zulkifly, Sp.PD, explained that hepatitis is an inflammatory condition in the liver which can be caused by infectious and non-infectious factors.

"Hepatitis is a term to describe the existence of an inflammatory process in the heart. The cause factor can come from infection or non-infection," explained dr. Steven in a written statement on Monday.

Virus infections are the main causes of hepatitis, with hepatitis A, B, and C viruses as the most common species found. Each virus has a different transmission path and impact, so it is important for the public to recognize their respective characteristics for effective prevention.

Virus hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are the most common causes of infection. In addition, infections from cytomegalovirus, herpes virus, to heartworm infections can also lead to hepatitis. In society, the most common cases are hepatitis A, B, and C, added dr. Steven.

In addition to viral infections, hepatitis can also be triggered by other factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, the use of certain drugs, autoimmune diseases, or liverfeeding conditions.

Transmission of hepatitis A generally occurs through the fecal-oral route, namely through the consumption of food or drinks contaminated with the fess of patients. Transmission can also occur through certain sexual relations practices.

To prevent hepatitis A, there are five important steps that need to be taken: keep food, beverages, kitchens, and eating utensils clean and healthy; have safe sexual intercourse; eat cooked food (because the virus died at 85 degrees Celsius for one minute); and get vaccinated against hepatitis A twice in a six-month interval for long-term protection.

Different from hepatitis A, hepatitis B and C spread through contact with infected blood. Transmission can occur vertically from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth, as well as horizontally through the use of non-siril syringes, making tattoos, piercings, and having risky sexual relationships.

The productive age group, which is 35-60 years old, is the group most vulnerable to hepatitis B and C due to unsafe sexual behavior factors and unhygienic medical practice.

Hepatitis A virus is able to survive outside the human body with an incubation period of about three to four weeks. Although hepatitis infection A can recover without special treatment, vaccination is still recommended to provide optimal protection.

Hepatitis A treatment is usually supportive, focuses on reducing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or fever, and ensuring patients are not dehydrated. Healing generally occurs in 1-2 weeks with a full recovery period of about a month, although in severe cases such as liver failure, patients need to be treated intensively in the hospital.

For hepatitis B, three doses of vaccination in the zero, one, and six months have proven effective in protecting up to 90-95 percent of individuals throughout their lives. There are currently no drugs available that can eliminate hepatitis B viruses as a whole, but long-term therapy can control infections.

Meanwhile, the vaccine for hepatitis C is not yet available. However, over the past decade, treatment with Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) has been available and is able to cure hepatitis C within 3-6 months depending on the severity of the infection.

dr. Steven said that the Siloam Hospital Group provides complete services for handling hepatitis, ranging from prevention, diagnosis, to therapy programs.

"We have services that include hepatitis vaccination, laboratory facilities, endoscopy equipment, and after care services. Hepatitis B patients are closely monitored until the right time for treatment arrives, while hepatitis C patients immediately undergo therapy so as not to develop into cirrhosis," concluded dr. Steven.