Answer:

Carrots are a versatile vegetable used in soups, stir-fries, boiled dishes, jams, and juices. They are rich in vitamin A, beta-carotene, fiber, and antioxidants. In traditional medicine, carrots, with their warm nature and sweet taste, are believed to benefit blood circulation, promote bowel movements, detoxify, and improve eyesight. They are used in remedies for intestinal parasites, diarrhea, digestive disorders, general weakness, and poor vision.

However, carrots contain a high level of beta-carotene. Consuming too much can lead to an excess of vitamin A, potentially causing headaches, nausea, fatigue, liver damage, and cardiovascular problems. Excessive beta-carotene intake can also cause jaundice.

The notion that drinking a lot of carrot juice increases the risk of hepatitis B is inaccurate. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through blood, from mother to child, and through unprotected sex. Carrot juice does not transmit or increase the risk of contracting this disease.

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, excessive consumption of which can cause jaundice, but it does not transmit hepatitis B. Illustrative photo: Vecteezy

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, excessive consumption of which can cause jaundice, but it does not transmit hepatitis B. Illustrative photo: Vecteezy

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), people of all ages can contract hepatitis B. The younger the age of infection, the higher the risk of developing chronic hepatitis or liver cancer later in life. 30% to 50% of children under 6 who contract the virus are at risk of developing chronic hepatitis.

Infected individuals require lifelong antiviral medication and adherence to treatment. Discontinuing treatment or using herbal remedies can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

The most effective way to prevent hepatitis B is vaccination. If you are concerned about the risk of infection, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Before vaccination, a blood test is necessary to determine if you are currently infected or if you have sufficient antibodies.

If you are already infected, the vaccine will be ineffective. If your antibody levels are below protective levels or if you have no antibodies against hepatitis B, you should get vaccinated.

Vietnam offers several vaccines for both adults and children, including Heberbiovac HB (Cuba), Gene Hbvax (Vietnam), and Twinrix (Belgium), which protects against both hepatitis A and B in a single injection. Adults require three doses over 6 months and should have a hepatitis B test before booster shots, which are administered when antibody levels decrease.

Children should receive their first hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth, followed by subsequent doses according to the recommended vaccination schedule, such as the 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccines.

In addition to vaccination, preventive measures include avoiding sharing personal items, practicing safe sex, maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and adhering to prescribed treatments if infected.

Doctor Nguyen Nhu Dien

Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination Center System

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