Myths and Facts about Hepatitis
Hepatitis is the name used to describe inflammation of the liver and can have several different causes and manifestations. Hepatitis is mostly caused by either a virus or as the result of excessive alcohol intake. There are several different types of hepatitis which is partly the cause of confusion regarding the illness. Touchwood Pharmacy offers the Hepatitis travel vaccination at their travel clinic in Ramsgate or you can book an appointment for the Hepatitis vaccination at our travel clinic in Bromley.
Most of the myths and misinformation surround Hepatitis C which was discovered in the 1980s and against which there is no effective vaccine. The current Hepatitis vaccine only protects against Hepatitis A and B. Here are some of the most common misconceptions:
- Only drug users can contract Hepatitis C – there are a myriad of ways to be exposed to the Hepatitis virus such as via blood transfusion or organ transplant amongst patients pre 1992 when screening protocols were not so sophisticated
- You cannot be cured of hepatitis – treatments have advanced rapidly since Hepatitis C was first identified. Nowadays, treatments are all oral and can be completed within around 8-24 weeks. The cure rate is higher than 95% but you can catch Hepatitis C again so there is no lifelong immunity
- Hepatitis C means liver cancer or a liver transplant are inevitable – only a very small percentage of people with Hepatitis C go on to develop liver cancer or cirrhosis of the liver
- Hepatitis C can be transmitted through intimate contact – Hepatitis C cannot be caught via coughing or sneezing, sharing utensils or drinking glasses or even by kissing. Hepatitis C is spread only by contact with infected blood so this means a tattoo in an unregulated establishment, a dirty needle shared amongst drug users or contact with a wound or the blood of someone who already has the disease
Preventing some forms of the hepatitis virus requires the hepatitis vaccine which can protect against Hepatitis A and B. If you are unsure whether you have had any of these vaccinations then consult Touchwood Pharmacy. If you need the Hepatitis travel vaccination then get in touch with our travel clinic in Ramsgate or you can also make an appointment to have the Hepatitis vaccination at Touchwood’s travel clinic in Bromley. Find out more information about Hepatitis vaccinations and our travel clinic service on the website https://www.touchwoodpharmacy.com/
