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Prevention
of liver diseases
| Prevention of liver cancer |
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Prevention of liver cancer is possible at two levels.
The first level of prevention is to avoid alcohol abuse and to prevent
the occurrence of Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C. These are acquired
from infected individuals via blood or rarely other secretions,
by sharing of infected needles among drug addicts, or by the sexual
route. Their transmission can be avoided by use of disposable needles
in hospitals, by strict and universal screening of all blood donors
in blood banks and refusing donations from infected persons. The
spread of Hepatitis B can be curbed by universal vaccination of
all newborns and the rest of the non-infected population.
The second level of prevention is in patients who
have liver cirrhosis. A significant proportion of them will develop
cancer. This can be avoided if they undergo a timely liver transplant
and the diseased liver can be removed. All those with cirrhosis
should see a liver specialist to find out if a liver transplant
is suitable for them.
| Prevention of cirrhosis |
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The three common causes of cirrhosis i.e., alcoholism,
Viral Hepatitis B and C are all preventable as is described for
the first level of prevention in liver cancer. However, at times,
cirrhosis may result from genetically determined diseases such as
autoimmune hepatitis, metabolic disorders (for eg. Wilson's disease
and others, especially in children), primary biliary cirrhosis and
primary sclerosing cholangitis which cannot really be prevented.
| Preventing the spread of
viral hepatitis |
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Proper hygiene is the key to preventing the
spread of many diseases, including Hepatitis. Other preventive measures
include:
Vaccinations - A Hepatitis B vaccine is routinely
given to toddlers as part of their immunization schedule. A hepatitis
A vaccine is available for people at risk for contracting the disease
while traveling. (There are no vaccines for hepatitis C, D, or E
at this time.)
Blood transfusion - Blood products are routinely
screened for Hepatitis B and C, and HIV, to reduce the risk of infection
from transfusion.
Antibody preparation - If a person has been
exposed to Hepatitis B, an antibody preparation can be administered
to help protect them from contracting the disease.
The prevention of Hepatitis B and C should be aimed
at the high risk groups and situations which are
a) Unsafe Blood transfusion,
b) Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C in the family,
c) Surgical procedures or dental manipulation,
d) intravenous drug abuse,
e) Unprotected sexual exposure,
f) Dialysis,
g) Medical or paramedical personnel.
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