What is hepatitis, what is viral hepatitis

Hepatitis is a disease that damages or impairs the function of liver cells due to various causes.

Causes include viruses, alcohol, drugs and chemicals. Among them, viral hepatitis is one that can spread the disease to others.

There are five types of viral hepatitis, A, B, C, D, and E, depending on the type of virus that causes it. Types A and E are transmitted through the mouth by ingesting virus-contaminated food or raw pork that has not been sufficiently cooked. Also, type D is rare in Japan.

Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through blood and body fluids. In recent years, the most common route of transmission of hepatitis B is sexual intercourse with a person infected with the hepatitis B virus.

Prior to the establishment of testing methods, infections were mainly caused by the use of virus-contaminated syringes, blood transfusions, and blood products. Today, the accuracy of blood donation testing has improved, and the incidence of hepatitis due to blood transfusions and other blood product administration is nearing zero.

National Research and Development Agency National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hepatitis Information Center (link to an external site) (opens in a new window)

Hepatitis countermeasures

With the comprehensive promotion of hepatitis countermeasures such as the enforcement of the Hepatitis Countermeasures Basic Law, new therapeutic drugs have been developed, and it has become possible to aim for "complete overcoming of viral hepatitis."

Target 3.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also states, “By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.” As a goal to contribute to this, we aim to eliminate hepatitis viruses by 2030 (90% reduction in new infections and 65% reduction in deaths).

Hepatitis general measures (we link to the outside site)

Viral hepatitis test

In this test, a blood sample is taken to check for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C antibodies. The test is as simple as taking an interview and taking a blood sample.

Your doctor will give you the results in about a week.

If you are found to be infected, you can receive a detailed examination and specialized treatment by referral to a liver specialist medical institution. In addition, medical expense subsidy system is available on this occasion.

• List of designated medical institutions specializing in liver in Tokyo Medical network (link to an external site)
• About hepatitis first detailed examination expense subsidy, periodical examination expense subsidy (viral infection aggravation prevention promotion business) (link to the outside site)
• About type B, hepatitis C virus medical expenses subsidy (we link to the outside site)
• About liver cancer, severe cirrhosis medical expenses subsidy system (liver cancer, severe cirrhosis treatment research promotion business) (link to the outside site)

Get tested for viral hepatitis once in your life

For those who have never been tested for viral hepatitis, we are conducting the following tests. The inspection is free and available to any applicable business.

Over 40 years old

Those who are eligible for specific medical examinations, national health examinations, medical examinations for the elderly aged 75 or over, and uninsured persons can undergo a viral hepatitis test at the same time as undergoing these medical examinations at a medical institution in the city.

In addition, if you can receive an additional medical examination, you can take a viral hepatitis test using the following emergency hepatitis test project.

Those under the age of 39

You can choose from the following two tests.

(1) Receive at a medical institution (emergency hepatitis test project)

Please make an appointment for a "free emergency hepatitis test" by calling the following hepatitis test medical institution.

Examination for hepatitis conduct medical institution (we open with the other window)

(2) Receive at a public health center

2nd Wednesday of every month 9:00am to 10:00am

Please contact the Health Prevention Division Infectious Disease Prevention Section

There is a specialized consultation desk

In order to respond to consultations from patients, carriers, families, etc., the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has set up "Liver Disease Consultation Centers" at Tokyo Metropolitan Liver Disease Coordination Hospitals.

Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations Toranomon Hospital (link to an external site)

Musashino Red Cross Hospital (we link to the outside site)

Infection prevention measures in daily life

Guidelines for preventing the spread of viral hepatitis in everyday life (for the general public) (link to an external site)