Hepatitis is a disease caused by a virus that attacks human liver cells. This disease is closely related to inadequate sanitation and poor personal hygiene. Hepatitis disease can cause public health problems that can be widespread and can cause Extraordinary Events.
Hepatitis is a general term for disease that refers to inflammation that occurs in the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, the most common causes of hepatitis are viruses. There are 5 types of hepatitis: A, B, C, D, E.
HEPATITIS A
Caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) and is usually transmitted through food or drinking water contaminated with feces from people with hepatitis A containing the hepatitis A virus.
HEPATITIS B
This disease is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which can be transmitted through body fluids infected with the hepatitis B virus such as; blood, vaginal fluids, and semen. Therefore, sharing needles and having unprotected sex with people with hepatitis B can cause a person to become infected.
HEPATITIS C
This disease is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C can be transmitted through bodily fluids, particularly through sharing needles and unprotected sex.
HEPATITIS D
This disease is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Hepatitis D is a rare disease, but it is serious. Hepatitis D virus cannot reproduce in the human body without hepatitis B. Hepatitis D is transmitted through blood and other body fluids.
HEPATITIS E
This disease is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is easy to occur in an environment that does not have good sanitation, due to hepatitis E virus contamination in water sources.
Among the 5 types of hepatitis above, hepatitis A and E often appear as diseases that cause Extraordinary Events. Because this disease is transmitted by fecal-oral route and is usually associated with clean and healthy living behavior. In Indonesia itself, many cases of hepatitis occur in low economic conditions (middle to lower) due to the large number of people living in residential areas and lack of hygiene and sanitation.
Picture 1. Illustration of the environment that lack of hygiene and sanitation
Here are some tips on maintaining cleanliness, in order to avoid the transmission of hepatitis:
- KEEPING YOURSELF AND ENVIRONMENT CLEAN
Maintaining personal hygiene can be done by bathing 2 times a day and washing hands frequently, especially before eating and after defecating. The habit of not washing hands has a high potential to be a source of transmission of the hepatitis virus. Then also keep the environment clean by frequently cleaning the house and the surrounding environment.
- KEEPING FOOD CLEAN
When eating vegetables, fruit, or other foodstuffs, it is better to wash them first with water. Cutlery also needs to be washed thoroughly with soap and water. In addition, the cleanliness of the food processing place, the place of presentation and the environment also needs to be considered.
- CONSUMING COOKED FOOD
Eating raw or uncooked food is one of the risk factors associated with hepatitis. Because raw food can be a medium of transmission of the hepatitis virus.
- DO NOT SHARE PERSONAL ITEMS OR USE TOGETHER
Goods used together can increase the risk of transmission due to cross-contamination between one person and another, especially with hepatitis sufferers.
- KEEP YOUR HEALTH
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- Do exercise regularly in the morning or evening without overdoing it
- Increase the body's resistance so that the immune system is stronger by eating nutritious food and taking vitamins
- Get enough rest
Sanitation management is not only carried out individually or as a family, but also by the surrounding community groups thoroughly and simultaneously so that the transmission of hepatitis can be prevented.
References:
- CDC. (2020). What Is Viral Hepatitis?
- CDC. (2021). Hepatitis
- Dinas Kesehatan DIY. (2019). Jaga Kebersihan Demi Mencegah Tertular Hepatitis
- Siswanto. (2020). Epidemiologi Penyakit Hepatitis
- Septiva, Dian. (2018). Analisis Faktor Personal Hygiene dan Sanitasi Lingkungan dengan Kejadian Hepatitis A di Universitas Jember
