Hepatitis C still unknown, the tram that informs leaves from Milan

HEPATITIS C: ONLY 4 OUT OF 10 ARE AWARE OF THE TREATMENT, OVER 40% STATE THEY KNOW LITTLE ABOUT IT

Also according to the AstraRicerche surveyon hepatitis C, over 40% say they know little or nothing (42.5%) and 37% say “so-so“. Furthermore, 6 out of 10 Italians are aware of a diagnostic test to detect the HCV virus, but only 4 out of 10 know that today the possibility exists, for those born between 1969 and 1989 and for some categories of people particular risk, to undergo this test for free.

Finally, too few – only 4 out of 10 – are those who are aware of the fact that hepatitis C can be cured today. The photograph developed from the results highlights the importance of promoting greater information to solve a real public health problem: there are in fact thousands of people who have contracted the virus but do not know it, the so-called hidden virus. The absence of symptoms, which can even last for years, does not alarm those who have contracted it who therefore do not take the test and do not seek treatment. In this way the virus continues to pass from person to person and, in those who have contracted it, progressively compromises the functionality of the liver, even causing cirrhosis and liver cancer.

HEPATITIS C, THE ‘LET’S MAKE A POINT’ TO ELIMINATE THE HCV VIRUS BY 2030

The ‘Let’s make a point’ campaign is part of a broader context of the fight against hepatitis, with the desire to contribute to achieving the WHO goal of eradicating the HCV virus by 2030. Promoted by Gilead Sciences, the campaign has the patronage of 7 patient associations – Anlaids Section Lombarda Ets, Anlaids Onlus, EpaC-Ets, Associazione Milano Check Point, Cooperativa Sociale Open Group Bologna, Plus Roma, Fondazione Villa Maraini-Cri, of 3 Scientific Societies – Aisf (Italian Association for the Study of the Liver), Sims (Italian Society of General Medicine and Primary Care), Simit (Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases) and of the Metropolitan City of Milan. “Although hepatitis C is now a curable pathology, there is still an important amount of undeclared disease‘, underlines the director of the Hepatology of Papa Giovanni in Bergamo and of the Gastroenterology of Milan Bicocca Stefano Fagiuoli ‘Partly because this infection can act silently for decades, progressively damaging the liver and causing cirrhosis which can turn into cancer, partly because there is insufficient awareness of the ways in which the virus is transmitted ‘. ‘It is therefore essential to inform yourself and take the test

HEPATITIS C, IT IS ACTIVE IN SOME REGIONS FREE SCREENING PROGRAM

In some regions – continues Fagiuoli – a free hepatitis C screening program is active for those born between 1969 and 1989 which should be extended to the general population . Investing in screening of the entire population would in fact mean reducing economic and health costs in just 4 years, as well as reducing the burden of disease and death, consequently improving people’s quality of life”. The HCV virus is transmitted mainly through contact with infected blood, and therefore by sharing personal care objects such as razors, toothbrushes, manicure or pedicure instruments, exchanging needles or syringes, performing tattoos or piercings with non-infected needles. sterileEven those who underwent blood transfusions or organ transplants before the 1990s are at risk since until then the virus was not known to be sexually transmitted or from mother to child during childbirth.

HEPATITIS C, BEFORE THE 90S MANY PRACTICES LEAD TO INFECTION

There are therefore many behaviors or practices that can lead to HCV infection, yet only 1 in 10 of those interviewed believe they are potentially at risk of hepatitis C. A false perception which is reflected in the belief that only specific groups of people are at risk of hepatitis C: the interviewees put injecting drug addicts in first place (46.3%), in second position, people who have undergone a transfusion or organ transplant (42.90%), alcoholics in third (30.57%). Only 2 out of 10 Italians associate tattoos (24.8%) and piercings (23.5%) with the risk of hepatitis C. A share that decreases drastically for aesthetic practices (13.6%). “Exposure to medical-surgical procedures before the 1990s represents the most important risk factor for HCV infection, which is not a problem confined to subjects with a history of drug addiction,” explains the specialist in Gastroenterology and hepatologist at the IRCCS Ca’ Granda Foundation-Ospedale Maggiore in Milan, Roberta D’Ambrosio. In fact, the virus was discovered late, and until 1992 – continues D’Ambrosio – no tests were available for the virus. its identification and for the consequent safety of transfusions, surgical interventions and other procedures such as dialysis

HEPATITIS C, TODAY THE RISK IS CONFINED TO SOME AESTHETIC PROCEDURES IN POORLY CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS

To date ‘the risk of transmission of the infection is confined to some aesthetic procedures (such as tattoos or aesthetic interventions) carried out in poorly controlled environments and to individuals who use recreational substances’ strong>. This is why ‘it is essential to act at a national level with extensive screening, which especially affects people over the age of 33’. Finally, the survey highlights how the propensity to take the test increases exponentially when people are correctly informed, going from 29.6% to 45.5% after reading a short informative text on what the disease is and how it is transmitted“This is why – claims the president of EpaC ETS Ivan Gardini – they are fundamental local and national information campaigns aimed at increasing the general population’s knowledge of this form of hepatitis, as only from awareness of risky behavior can the suspicion of having contracted the infection arise and therefore the willingness to undergo the diagnostic test which should not be scary, because today there is an effective cure for hepatitis C”.

HEPATITIS C, INFORMATION AND AWARENESS TO FIGHT STIGMA AND FALSE MYTHS

Information and awareness are also necessary to combat stigma and false myths, still widespread among Italians. Approximately 1 interviewee in 10 (10.8% of those who know about hepatitis) states that contact with people living with hepatitis C must be avoided; a percentage that rises to 22% among 18-29 year old males. Furthermore, approximately 4 out of 10 mistakenly think that there is a vaccine for hepatitis C and do not know, however, that there is a cure . “I am very happy with the launch of this new campaign. Once again we are alongside the scientific community and patient associations – states the medical director of Gilead Sciences Italia Carmen Piccolo – to build together a world without hepatitis C’. For Piccolo to collaborate with all the players in the health system, it is essential to really make a difference, promoting correct information, awareness and access to diagnoses and therapies. I am deeply convinced – she observes – that only by joining forces will we be able to achieve the objectives set by the WHO. I therefore invite all people with a risk profile to undergo the test, only in this way can we defeat hepatitis C“.