Via practica 4-5/2008

IMPORTANCE OF EARLY VIRAL HEPATITIS B AND C DIAGNOSTICS IN PRIMARY AMBULANTORY CARE

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents the major causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. They often lead to chronic liver disease including cirrhosis or primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Both HBV and HCV are bloodborne viruses. Because the relative importance of various modes of transmission of these viruses differs by country, the choice of specific prevention and control strategies depends primarily on the epidemiology of infection in a particular country. Primary hepatitis B prevention include: prevention of perinatal HBV transmission, hepatitis B vaccination at critical ages to interrupt transmission and prevention of nosocomial HBV transmission. The prevention of hepatitis C is problematic because a vaccine to prevent HCV infection is not expected to be developed in the foreseeable future. From a global perspective, the greatest impact on the disease burden associated with HCV infection will be most likely achieved by focusing efforts on primary prevention strategies to reduce or eliminate the risk for transmission from nosocomial exposure, high-risk practices, preventive programms and early diagnostics. Secondary prevention of chronic hepatitis B and C reduce the risk for liver damage. Actually are available effective and safe therapeutic approaches for treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C. Diet and nutrition play an important role in secondary prevention of liver diseases too.

Keywords: chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, primary and secondary prevention, diet in liver disease.