In Sverdlovsk, around 3% of the local population have contracted hepatitis C
In the heart of Ekaterinburg, the ongoing fight against hepatitis C continues. According to Elena Bessonova, the chief out-of-staff gastroenterologist of the regional Ministry of Health, approximately 3% of the regional population is affected by the disease.
The early symptoms of hepatitis C are often mild or absent, earning it the nickname of a “silent” disease. When symptoms do appear, they can include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), dark urine, and joint pain. However, these symptoms typically emerge only after considerable liver damage has occurred.
Timely diagnosis relies primarily on blood tests. The initial diagnostic test involves an anti-HCV antibody blood test to detect exposure to the virus. If positive, it is followed by an HCV RNA test to confirm active infection. Additional tests such as liver enzyme tests (e.g., ALT levels) indicate liver inflammation. Imaging studies (ultrasound, CT, MRI) or liver biopsy may be used to assess liver damage or rule out liver cancer in chronic cases.
Regular screening in high-risk groups is critical, given hepatitis C’s silent progression. Routine screening of at-risk populations is needed to detect hepatitis C early. At-risk groups include people with past or current injection drug use, blood transfusions before 1992, recipients of organ transplants, healthcare workers with exposure, those born between 1945-1965, and incarcerated persons.
Early detection via these standard methods allows timely antiviral treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), which can cure most infections and prevent serious liver complications. When detected early, hepatitis C is considered curable in more than 90% of cases.
This year, 11 new cases of hepatitis C have been registered among patients aged 28 to 56 in Ekaterinburg. It underscores the need for increased awareness and screening efforts in the region. If you are in the Sverdlovsk region and belong to any risk group or have symptoms, seek testing at local healthcare centers offering hepatitis C screening based on these standard methods. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent liver failure or cancer later.
Stay informed and stay healthy, Ekaterinburg.
- Science plays a crucial role in the ongoing fight against hepatitis C, with medical advancements allowing for early diagnosis and antiviral treatments through direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).
- Understanding chronic diseases like hepatitis C is crucial for health and wellness, as mental health, nutrition, fitness, and exercise all contribute to a robust immune system that can better combat such diseases.
- Regular screening for medical-conditions such as hepatitis C is essential, particularly among high-risk groups like healthcare workers, individuals born between 1945-1965, and people with a history of injection drug use or blood transfusions before 1992.
- Nutrition, fitness, and mental health are all components of holistic health strategies that can help manage chronic diseases like hepatitis C, ensuring a higher quality of life and reducing the risk of serious complications.
