Hepatitis C is a disease that can be cured with oral medication in three months, reducing the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Previously, the disease was treated with costly injections, but now it can be treated for a more affordable price, with health insurance covering part of the cost.
Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Huyen from the Central Tropical Diseases Hospital emphasized the importance of shifting towards oral medication for treating hepatitis C, making it more accessible to people. However, the lack of typical symptoms for hepatitis C means many infected individuals are unaware of their condition, allowing the disease to spread unnoticed in the community.
The Ministry of Health estimates that there are over 900,000 cases of hepatitis C in Vietnam, but only a fraction of these cases have been diagnosed. The transmission routes for hepatitis C include blood, sexual, and mother-to-child transmission, putting individuals like blood transfusion recipients, drug users, and sex workers at risk.
To prevent the spread of hepatitis C, healthcare professionals recommend a proactive approach to screening through blood tests. Early detection can lead to timely treatment and prevent the disease from progressing to more severe stages. Education and public awareness are crucial in efforts to eliminate hepatitis C as seen in successful initiatives in countries like Japan and Taiwan.
Preventative measures like avoiding sharing personal items, safe sex practices
