Who is Dr. Baruch Blumberg? He’s the doctor that identified hepatitis B and developed the first vaccine. The Nobel prize winner’s achievements are honored to raise awareness of hepatitis B and the other four types of hepatitis.
What do you know about hepatitis? The CDC reports that over one million deaths are attributed to this virus each year. Over 325 million people have one form of the disease that can be an acute or chronic form. Here are four facts about hepatitis that your family should know.
#1 – Hepatitis Vaccines
Vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis D. Hepatitis B is transmitted through sharing needles, sexual contact, or a mother-baby transmission, which makes it easier to avoid. Hepatitis D develops from hepatitis B. However, hepatitis A is transmitted by eating contaminated foods and beverages, which is harder to avoid.
#2 – Undercooked Meats
Hepatitis E has no vaccine. While it is most common in areas where people drink contaminated water, eating undercooked pork, shellfish, venison, or wild boar are other ways people get it. It’s one form of hepatitis where people recover without treatment.
#3 – Hepatitis C Screenings Are Recommended for All Adults
It used to be that hepatitis C screenings were only recommended to people who practiced high-risk behaviors. Times have changed. Universal hepatitis C screenings are now recommended at least once in an adult’s lifetime. When diagnosed and treated, 9 out of 10 people are cured of the virus.
#4 – Symptoms Are Not Always Strong Indicators of the Disease
The symptoms that people with the virus experience may not alert them to the disease. Fever and joint pain may have your mom or dad thinking they have the flu. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite may have them thinking of food poisoning or a stomach bug.
Most people don’t realize something is wrong until they have dark urine, even when hydrated, and jaundice. At that point, the virus may take longer to treat. If the liver has been damaged, it can become much harder to fight.
When your mom or dad has hepatitis, the doctor’s orders must be followed. Avoiding alcoholic beverages, eating a healthy diet, and getting exercise are important. Elder care is one of the best ways to make sure your parent stays on track with follow-up appointments, dietary changes, and exercise goals.
Elder care aides are there to drive your mom or dad to medical appointments. They can join your parent on shopping trips and make sure healthy food items are the only items placed in the cart. An agency can walk you through the rates and services.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/worldhepday.htm
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elder Care in Redington Beach, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
