The liver is the body's largest internal organ, accounting for about 2% of body weight. It performs many vital functions: metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; supplying energy to the body; filtering blood; and processing and eliminating harmful substances.

Research on animals indicates that stress and anger can lead to oxygen deficiency and reperfusion injury in the liver. This increases the release of stress hormones, including cortisol and catecholamines. Anger can also elevate blood sugar levels, contributing to conditions like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and increased fatty acids and toxins that harm the liver. A significant buildup of cortisol weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infectious diseases.

Anger harms the liver, and in the long term, it can cause many diseases and weaken the immune system, making the body susceptible to infectious diseases. *Photo: Vecteezy*.

Therefore, you should strive to regulate your emotions and manage anger and stress through various methods, such as: deep breathing, meditation, yoga, walking, and listening to music. To further protect your liver, it is important to drink enough water, consume clean food, and maintain personal hygiene and a clean living environment. You should also avoid alcohol and tobacco, engage in regular and moderate exercise, and refrain from self-medicating or abusing antibiotics and pain relievers. Regular health check-ups and vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B are also crucial preventive measures.

For adults in Vietnam, single-dose vaccines are available for hepatitis B, as well as combined vaccines that also protect against hepatitis A.

Adults who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B, or who lack sufficient protective antibodies, need three doses within 6 months. High-risk individuals, such as those living with or caring for someone with hepatitis B, healthcare workers, tattoo artists, or nail technicians, may require four doses. Booster shots are necessary when antibody levels decrease, and testing is recommended before vaccination.

Children should receive one dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. If vaccination is not possible at that time, it should be administered within 28 days. Subsequently, children continue vaccination according to the schedule for the 6-in-1 or 5-in-1 vaccines.

The single-dose hepatitis A vaccine is currently available for children aged 12 months to under 18 years. The specific vaccination schedule depends on the vaccine type and the age of the recipient.

Doctor Bui Cong Su

Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System

Readers can submit questions for vaccine consultation to the doctor here.