[:en]For some months there has been an abnormal peak of HEPATITIS A, with an overall increase of 5 times compared to 2015.
According to the SEIEVA monitoring system, the peak is particularly significant among MSM (men who have sex with men) and transgender people. In March 2017, the percentage of MSM affected by the epidemic peak was 60.8% on new diagnoses, against the 8% observed in 2015: however, several clues suggest that the data is underestimated and the even greater extent.
How is it transmitted?
The HAV (Hepatitis A) virus is highly infectious and therefore easily transmissible. It is transmitted through food, drink, or feces: even tiny, imperceptible traces not visible to the naked eye can transmit the virus. For this reason, in the context of sex, is therefore transmitted through the oro-anal route: in practice, all those practices that put the anus in contact, directly or indirectly, with the mouth. For example, therefore, through rimming (licking the anus), or fingering (put your finger in your anus) if you then bring your finger to your mouth.
What to do?
If you've had hepatitis A before, you're already immune. Otherwise...
GET VACCINATED!
The vaccine for MSM It is recommended and free throughout Italy based on the National Vaccination Prevention Plan (pp. 42 and 73/74). Check with your local health authority. Given the patchy organization of the Italian healthcare system, we can't provide standardized contact information for everyone. In general, you can contact:
- to the vaccination service of your local health unit, which should have already been alerted;
- in some areas to screening services for sexually transmitted diseases or infectious diseases, at the local health unit or at hospitals (however, they do not always deal with Hepatitis A, let alone vaccinations, but you can ask for information);
- at the nearest Arcigay office (see here for the map) for information.
In general, if you encounter difficulties accessing services, are unable to obtain information from public services, are told that the vaccine is not available, or are refused free vaccination, we recommend that you report it. at the local Arcigay headquarters and also to [email protected] specifying the problem you encountered and where.
Other preventive measures
- Normal hygiene and health practices, such as washing your hands, especially when handling food and drinks;
- During sex, if you finger (put your finger in the anus), you should avoid putting your fingers in your mouth, or at least wash them thoroughly before putting them in your mouth. If you rim (lick the anus), you can use a dental or a condom cut into a sheet.
What is it and what effects does it have?
Hepatitis A is one of the hepatitis viruses and is caused by the HAV virus. Once infected, it attacks and proliferates in the liver. Symptoms generally include fever, general malaise, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and appear between 2 and 6 weeks after infection (on average, after a month). In the case of a mild infection, the disease resolves spontaneously even without medical treatment. Unlike hepatitis B and C, HAV-induced liver inflammation generally has an acute course, does not become chronic, and does not facilitate the onset of cirrhosis And liver cancer It is long-term and does not leave the patient as a chronic carrier. The course of the disease requires rest and avoidance of anything that might strain the liver (alcohol or fatty foods, for example). Very rarely, it manifests itself in a fulminant (fatal) form. Once the disease has run its course, the person is immune and will not be reinfected.
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