{"id":1774,"date":"2022-08-01T10:02:05","date_gmt":"2022-07-31T22:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medpro.co.nz\/?p=1774"},"modified":"2022-08-02T14:31:14","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T02:31:14","slug":"hepatitis-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medpro.co.nz\/hepatitis-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"The Silent Epidemic: Reduce the risk of hepatitis infection"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/other-vaccinations-2\/” button_text=”more information” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/contact\/” button_text=”Contact Us” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font_size=”15px” header_2_font_size=”20px” header_3_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

On the 28<\/strong>th <\/strong>of July, organisations worldwide come together to raise awareness and promote action to reduce the burden of viral hepatitis.<\/strong> There are several types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E, all of which cause inflammation of the liver and can lead to liver damage. Worldwide more than 350 million people live with hepatitis and global action is underway to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. While many people make a full recovery following an acute infection, the hepatitis virus can also result in chronic infection, progressive liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. Occupations that are exposed to bodily fluids, faecal matter, sewage, and potential needle stick injuries, are at an increased risk of infection and should take preventative measures, including vaccination.<\/p>\n

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The impact of viral hepatitis in New Zealand<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In New Zealand, around 150,000 individuals are living with hepatitis. Of these New Zealanders, 100,000 have hepatitis B, and around 50,000 have hepatitis C.<\/p>\n

However, since hepatitis can present as flu-like symptoms or remain asymptomatic for many years it is impossible to determine the true burden of the disease. For this reason, it is known as the silent epidemic, with many people not being diagnosed until a chronic infection has caused damage to their liver.\u00a0 Currently, hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantation in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

Being a highly contagious virus which can survive outside the human body for up to 7 days it is essential that high-risk individuals are vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. The screening procedure should be followed after potential exposure to hepatitis, such as with needle stick injuries and contact with high-risk blood samples.<\/p>\n

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Recommended hepatitis vaccinations for your occupation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since the introduction of the hepatitis B vaccination to the national immunisation schedule in 1987, infection rates have dropped drastically in New Zealand. Today infection is rare among those under 25 due to high rates of vaccination, however, immunity can wane over time. For individuals working in high-risk occupations, it is possible to do a blood test to confirm whether you need to receive a vaccination against hepatitis B.<\/p>\n

Vaccination against hepatitis A is also recommended in high-risk occupations, as while complications are rare, there is a risk of liver failure and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Occupation<\/strong><\/td>\nHepatitis A<\/strong><\/td>\nHepatitis B<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Healthcare professionals<\/td>\n\n

\u2714\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(if working with children)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Healthcare assistants & carers<\/td>\n\n

\u2714\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(if exposed to faeces)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Police, emergency services, & correctional facilities staff<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armed forces personnel<\/td>\n\n

\u2714\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(if deployed in high-risk countries)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Individuals who work with children<\/td>\n\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Laboratory staff<\/td>\n\n

\u2714\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(if exposed to faeces)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sewage workers & plumbers<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Funeral workers & embalmers<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tattooists & body-piercers<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Individuals who work with animals<\/td>\n\u2714<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Symptoms of hepatitis<\/h2>\n

In some cases, hepatitis will cause no symptoms or mild flu symptoms such as tiredness, aches and a fever.<\/p>\n

Often in an acute infection, or when symptoms being to appear after an asymptomatic hepatitis C infection, you will experience:<\/p>\n