July 28th is World Hepatitis Day and a day that raises awareness of all the different viral hepatitis types. It’s something you have to consider, as hepatitis isn’t just a virus for at-risk people. Anyone is at risk, so vaccinations are often recommended in childhood now. Having companion care at home services can help your loved one manage this disease.
Companion Care at Home Hawthorne FL – World Hepatitis Day: Tips for Caring for a Parent With Hepatitis
Eight out of ten hepatitis patients are Baby Boomers. They lived in eras before modern practices were used for sanitization during blood transfusions, piercings/tattoos, and the normalcy of sharing a razor or toothbrush with a partner or friend. Vaccinations for hepatitis didn’t exist yet.
In March and April, a number of stores recalled frozen or fresh organic strawberries after it was found that they were contaminated with hepatitis A. People who’d eaten fresh strawberries from stores like Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Safeway, Kroger, HEB, Aldi, and several others were urged to get tested and vaccinated if they haven’t already been.
There are five types of hepatitis:
Hepatitis A: Contracted by eating foods or drinking water that’s contaminated with the virus or from person to person. It rarely leads to liver damage and usually the symptoms pass within a few weeks. It can be prevented or treated with a hepatitis A vaccine.
Hepatitis B: There is a vaccine now for hepatitis B, but it wasn’t available to older adults. This hepatitis can cause liver damage, but it doesn’t have to. If it’s contracted when you’re an adult, it’s often an acute version that the body takes care of on its own.
Hepatitis C: Half of the people who get hepatitis C get the short-term version, but the other half end up with the long-term type. Treatments, however, are available and can take care of the virus.
Hepatitis D: This form of hepatitis only appears in people who have hepatitis B. It can lead to complications that damage the liver, so testing and treatment are essential.
Hepatitis E: Drinking contaminated water is how hepatitis E is contracted. If your dad traveled to another country and drank unfiltered, untreated water, that would increase his risk of this type.
Older adults tend to get hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Both can damage the liver, so it’s important to get tested and undergo treatments. Hepatitis C is curable for most people. Your dad saw his doctor and has hepatitis. What should you do to help him?
Your dad may need to see his doctor regularly to check his blood. He may need to go for injections to treat the viral infection. Make sure he attends those appointments. If he misses any of them, he needs to reschedule. If you can’t help him get to his appointments on time, hire a caregiver to accompany him.
Your dad needs to eat a healthy diet. Hire companion care at home services to ensure he’s eating whole grains, lots of fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins. He needs to avoid alcoholic beverages, saturated fat, and added sugar and corn syrup.
Arrange companion care at home to assist your dad. He may not have the energy he needs to keep his home clean, cook meals, and drive himself to medical appointments. A companion care at home aide can help him out until he feels better.
Sources: https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/48/1/32/5149918
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/index.htm
https://www.foodandwine.com/news/strawberry-recall-fda-investigation-hepatitis-a-2022
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