Uzm. Dr. Yılmaz: “The only way to protect against hepatitis, which kills 1 million people a year, is vaccination”
Stating that hepatitis is an important health problem in Turkey as well as all over the world, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Gürkan Yılmaz said, “The most effective method to protect against hepatitis, which causes approximately 1 million people to lose their lives every year in the world, is vaccination.”
Medical Park Seyhan Hospital Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Gürkan Yılmaz made statements about hepatitis disease.
Emphasizing that hepatitis is an important health problem in our country as well as all over the world, Specialist Dr. Yılmaz said, “The most effective method to protect against hepatitis, which causes approximately 1 million people to die every year in the world, is vaccination. There are many types of hepatitis identified today. However, when it comes to hepatitis, the disease caused by Hepatitis A, B and C type viruses is generally understood and these types are the most common in our country.”
“Hepatitis A is short-term, Hepatitis B is highly contagious”
Referring to hepatitis A virus as a short-term but severe infection, Yılmaz said, “This disease does not become chronic and the person does not get sick again. It is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. When the virus excreted in the feces of the infected person mixes with water or food, it is transmitted to others.”
Stating that hepatitis B virus is also a highly contagious disease, Dr. Yılmaz said, “It is transmitted through all body fluids, including blood. It can be very severe or it can progress silently. 90 percent of the cases heal spontaneously and the patient gains natural immunity in this way. Hepatitis B virus, which causes permanent damage to the liver at a rate of 15-25 percent, can also lead to carriage, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and consequently death.”
“Hepatitis C progresses insidiously”
Stating that the hepatitis C virus is not very contagious compared to the other two viruses, Uzm. Dr. Yılmaz said, “It is transmitted through blood and blood products. The symptoms of liver cirrhosis appear about 10 years after the patient gets the virus. The disease progresses very insidiously. It can cause complaints such as abdominal swelling, esophageal variceal bleeding.”
Giving information about hepatitis vaccines, Uzm. Dr. Yılmaz said, “Hepatitis B vaccine should be given to newborn babies, children, all healthcare workers, hemodialysis unit patients, patients receiving intravenous drugs, hemophilia patients, and people who think that they will somehow get hepatitis virus.”
“Hepatitis B vaccine can also protect against cancer”
Stating that the hepatitis B vaccine provides immunity in more than 90 percent of those vaccinated when stored under appropriate conditions and properly administered, Yılmaz said, “The rate in question decreases slightly in those over the age of 40. In newborns, it is reported that nearly 100 percent immunity can be obtained from the vaccine. According to the criteria of the World Health Organization, if a person is immune, the vaccine is considered to be lifelong protective. Hepatitis B vaccine can also protect individuals from cancer. Vaccines are the best weapon we have in the fight against infections. We know that viruses also play an important role in cancer, everyone's fearful dream. Therefore, we can say that vaccines play an important role in the fight against deadly cancers today. If antibodies are formed after vaccination in people who are not in the risk group, it is not necessary to give a booster dose (reminder dose) again. In the past, a booster dose was given every 5-10 years, but now it is not necessary. The World Health Organization does not recommend this situation anyway.”
“There are no serious side effects”
Giving information about the side effects that may occur, Dr. Yılmaz said, “No serious side effects have been reported in Hepatitis B vaccines currently on the market. Ordinary side effects can be seen at the injection site and can usually be seen as mild pain and redness, rarely swelling and hardness at the injection site.”
Stating that a person who encounters the virus or wants to be protected from Hepatitis B can go to a family doctor, Yılmaz said, “Since this is a basic health issue, it is an issue that a general practitioner can also find solutions. Apart from this, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, internal medicine or pediatrics specialists can be consulted.”
Speaking about the hepatitis A vaccine, Uzm. Dr. Yılmaz shared the following information:
“The vaccine can be given from birth. Until the age of 15, everyone who has not had Hepatitis A should be vaccinated. In addition, people in the risk group must be vaccinated first. Hepatitis B carriers are in this risk group. If the carrier has never had hepatitis A, they should definitely be vaccinated. Because if hepatitis A infection occurs on top of hepatitis B, there is a risk that the damage to the liver will increase exponentially. Workers who clean pools and those who work in nurseries are also at risk. These people should be vaccinated against hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccine is administered in two doses. There should be a period of 2 months between the two doses. Since Hepatitis A infection is very common in Turkey, it is useful to do a test. The name of this test is 'Anti HAV IgG' test. If this test is positive, it means that the person has had the disease and is protected against the disease for life. In this case, there is no need for vaccination. The protective effect of the hepatitis A vaccine begins 1 month after the second, or last, dose. However, 15 days after the first dose, the antibody response gradually builds up in the body. There is no need for a booster dose in hepatitis A vaccine. A booster dose is also not recommended for people in the risk group. Hepatitis A is a very safe vaccine. Except for local side effects, no significant side effects have been reported to date. Mild pain and redness may be observed at the application site.”
Uzm. Dr. Yılmaz listed the high risk groups for Hepatitis B as follows:
“Doctors, nurses, dentists, those working in laboratories and all other employees working in the health sector, emergency services, police, military personnel, firefighters, medical waste handlers, cleaning workers, morgue and funeral workers. People who share a household and have sexual contact with hepatitis B carriers, dialysis patients, intravenous drug users, people who will receive blood and blood product transfusions, people with immunodeficiency, people living in nursing homes. Those whose lives are restricted to confined spaces such as prisons can also be included in this group.”
