Hepatitis C, or hepatitis C, is a disease that epidemiologists still warn us about. There are many dangers, and many of them cannot be avoided, e.g. it is difficult to give up checkups, visits to the dentist or gynecologist. What do you need to know to feel safe and not be afraid of contracting hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C , otherwisehepatitis C , is a very dangerous disease. Worse, there is no vaccine for it. However, there are ways to protect yourself from it.

  • First of all, get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B - vaccines are widely available.

hepatitis C: take a blood test

  • Even with your own money, because the cost is low (about PLN 30), do a blood test for HCV. The basic test is a serological test to detect anti-HCV antibodies that appear 8-10 weeks after infection. If the result is positive, you will be referred to an infectious disease clinic, where - to confirm the presence of anti-HCV antibodies - a test is performed to detect the genetic material of the virus in the blood (it appears as early as 1-2 weeks after infection). PCR tests (for the uninsured - about PLN 300) are used to determine the presence of viral nucleic acid and its concentration in the blood serum.

  • Every fifth infection is the result of beauty treatments, as well as piercing, tattooing and intravenous drug addiction. Choose clinics with a reputation for adhering to all sanitary regimes.
  • The risk of sexual transmission is low. Semen of infected men, secretions from the female genital tract or saliva are not significant infectious material. No additional protective measures are recommended for infected partners. Sexual practices that damage the mucosa can be dangerous.

    • Hepatitis C prophylaxis: injection or dressing change only with gloves

  • If you undergo any procedure, even a minor one (e.g. injection, change of dressing), make sure that it is performed in protective gloves, which should be changed after each patient. If you find that the staff are not changing gloves, pay attention.
  • Do not borrow personal accessories such as manicure tools, epilator, razor or toothbrush from anyone or anyoneto the teeth.
  • If you decide to undergo a large cosmetic procedure, during which the continuity of the tissues is broken, e.g. pricks or cuts in the skin, choose a salon where hygiene is observed. You can ask the owner if he uses disposable equipment and how the tools are sterilized.

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