Manaus City Hall launches Yellow July campaign to prevent viral hepatitis

Manaus (AM) – The Manaus City Hall, through the Municipal Health Department (Semsa), will promote the “Yellow July” campaign with surveillance, prevention and control actions against viral hepatitis, which can be caused by viruses A, B, C, D and E. This year, Manaus has already registered 136 cases of viral hepatitis, of which 76 are type B, 46 are type C and 11 are type D, which can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer and even lead to death if the patient does not receive the appropriate treatment.

The most common and serious forms of the disease in the capital of Amazonas are caused by types B, C and D, with transmission occurring through unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing syringes, toothbrushes, razor blades, nail clippers and other sharp objects. .

Semsa’s Epidemiological Surveillance management technician, nurse Ana Elis Guimarães, informs that the campaign activities will be developed by the health units, which will emphasize health education actions, vaccination against hepatitis B, which also protects the population against type D, reinforce the availability of condoms and the offer of rapid testing (types B and C) for the general public.

As viral hepatitis can also be transmitted from the pregnant woman to the baby during pregnancy and childbirth, health units will strengthen actions during prenatal care.

“The lack of knowledge about the existence of the disease is the great challenge for public health. Most cases have no manifestation of symptoms and therefore the recommendation is that people perform the quick test, free of charge, in any of the more than 190 health units in the municipal network that offer the exam”,

highlights Ana Elis.

Of the 576 cases of hepatitis B, C and D reported last year in Manaus, 76% correspond to users aged 40 years and over, age group in which there is a greater possibility of progression to chronic disease and worsening.

“For this reason, one of the focuses of this year’s Yellow July campaign will be to reinforce the offer of rapid testing for people aged 40 and over, seeking early diagnosis and treatment”,

informs Ana Elis.

In addition to hepatitis B, C and D, Manaus registers cases of hepatitis A, with three cases reported this year, and which is transmitted by the oral-fecal route, from an infected person to another healthy person or through contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A vaccine is offered in the municipal network, aimed at children aged one year.

“It is important to emphasize that parents and caregivers are responsible for ensuring that their children’s vaccination schedule is maintained. Vaccination cards for adults should also be updated for disease prevention,”

warned Ana Elis.

Even though in most cases of viral hepatitis there are no symptoms, in some situations the patient may experience: fatigue, fever, malaise, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellowish skin and eyes, dark urine and pale stools .

Prevention measures include: washing hands after going to the toilet and before eating, washing food before consumption, cooking food well before consumption and drinking clean water to prevent cases of hepatitis A; and be careful in handling sharp instruments, adopt personal beauty instruments such as tweezers and nail scissors, individually use your own hygiene objects, use condoms during sexual intercourse and use disposable needles and syringes for the prevention of hepatitis B, C and D .

“Until the end of July, the campaign’s actions will address forms of prevention and guidance on the importance of early diagnosis, with health units developing activities in the routine of care with lectures and conversation circles in the waiting room, in addition to of schools, churches and companies”,

concludes Ana Elis.

*With advisory information

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