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Policy on the use of cookies
What is a cookie? A cookie is a small file that may be deposited and stored on your computer when you visit websites. Cookies are deposited and/or read, in particular when a website or mobile application is consulted, or when software is installed or used, regardless of the type of terminal used: computer, smartphone, digital tablet or video game console connected to the Internet. Information, such as your choice of language, is stored on your computer via these cookies. When you visit the website again, the stored cookie is sent back to the site in question, and you no longer have to choose your browsing language there. Cookies generally have an expiry date. Some cookies, for example, are automatically deleted when you close your browser (these are known as session cookies), while others remain on your computer for longer, sometimes even until you delete them manually (these are known as "permanent" cookies). Depending on their purpose, there are different types of cookies Essential (or strictly necessary) cookies: these make it possible to ensure that the website functions properly and to offer users the services they expect, such as browsing, access to secure pages, etc. These cookies are essential insofar as their absence would prevent the website or the Application from functioning properly. Comfort cookies, also known as functional cookies: these enable the website or application to remember the preferences of its users, such as the choice of language as in the example above, the font size, etc. If these cookies are not absolutely necessary, they will be deleted. Although these cookies are not absolutely necessary, they do make browsing more comfortable. Analytical cookies: these collect information on user behaviour in order to deduce site performance, i.e. the pages that users visit most often, their activity on the site, the frequency of their visits, etc. In principle, this information is processed in the same way as cookies. In principle, this information is processed anonymously and for statistical purposes in order to improve the user's browsing experience on the site. Third-party cookies: these are cookies placed on your computer by a site other than the main site you are visiting, generally when the main site calls up content from this other site. For example, if the site you are visiting contains a Youtube® video and you watch it, Youtube® places a cookie on your computer to receive information about this viewing so that it can offer you similar content later. These cookies may also be necessary for the site to function properly, but they are mainly used to enable third parties (in this example, Youtube®) to see which pages have been visited, particularly for advertising purposes. What types of cookies are used and why? The Institution, which manages this website, uses several types of cookies: essential cookies functional cookies analytical cookies Essential cookies To manage the content of its website, The Institution sets essential cookies. Essential cookies are necessary for the proper technical operation of the website. In view of their necessity, it is not possible to refuse them if you wish to visit our website, and they are placed as soon as you access the site. Your consent is therefore not required in this case, only an obligation to provide information. NAME Expiry Content Purpose OptanonConsent 364 days This stores information on the cookie categories used by the site and indicates whether visitors have given or withdrawn their consent for the use of each category. It contains no information permitting identification of the site visitor   This cookie is defined by the cookie compliance solution from OneTrust. This enables site owners to block cookies from each category from being installed in the user’s browser if the user has not given  consent. The cookie has a life of one year so that visitors who revisit the site will see their  preferences memorised. OptanonAlertBoxClosed 364 days This cookie contains a simple value indicating  that the alert box has been closed. It does not store any personal information on the user.  It can also record the date and time when the alert was closed.    This cookie is placed by websites that use certain versions of the cookie law compliance solution of OneTrust. It is placed after visitors have seen an information notice on cookies and, in some cases, only when they actively close the notice. It enables the website not to show the message more than once to the same user. The cookie expires after one year and does not contain any personal information.            Functional cookies Functional cookies are required if you want an optimal use of a website. Your permission is required before the Institution can place this type of cookie.  Your cookie preferences will also be registered via a cookie.  NAME Expiry Content Purpose Language Session cookie ID of language chosen To memorise the language chosen by the user so that when the user next visits the site it will be displayed in the right language.                  Analytical cookies The Institution also uses analytical cookies to quantify the visits (traffic) on its website. This enables it to analyse the site use for the purposes of improving content. Your consent is needed to place cookies of this type.  NAME Expiry Content Purpose Matomo (_pk_id) 13 months Unique identifier: an alphanumerical identifier is attributed to each visitor.  Last visit: The date and time of the last visit by the website visitor.  Number of visits: The total number of visits made by the user. Date of first visit: The first time the user visited the website.   It is used to store a number of details on the user, such as the visitor’s unique identifier.  This helps to track visitors uniquely through their sessions  so as to understand their engagement and website use.    Matomo (_pk_ref) 6 months Reference source : The URL or source (such as a search engine or referring site) that directed the visitor to the site.  Key words : If the user comes from a search engine, key words  used to find the site  can be stored.  Campaign details: If the user clicks on an advert or campaign link, the details of this campaign are saved.    It is used to store reference information on visitors. This includes where the users  were before arriving at the site (for example, a search engine, an advert, another website).  It helps to understand how the visitors are directed to the site, which is essential for marketing analysis ad to optimise advertising campaigns.    Matomo (_pk_ses, _pk_cvar, _pk_hsr) 30 minutes This cookie stores temporary information on the user’s session. It does not store permanent data and generally expires after 30 minutes of inactivity. It contains specific information on the session, such as user segments or particular behaviour. This  information is temporary and relates to the session in progress. This cookie records data on the way the user navigates and interacts with the site, such as clicks, scrolling and movements on the page. These data are also related to the session in progress and are not stored permanently.   To track the user’s session. It is a question of understanding and recording the user’s activities during a specific visit to the site. Storage of personalised variables  for the session. This cookie is used to segment the visit data on the basis of specific data defined by the site. Used for Session Recording and Heatmaps. It helps analyse how users interact with the site by recording their actions and by creating visualisations of their activity.  _ga (Google Analytics) 2 years Unique Identifier: The cookie generally contains a unique identifier that is used  to generate statistics on the way the visitor uses the website. Session Data: It can also include information on the user session, such as visit duration and number of pages consulted.    User Tracking: The _ga cookie is used to distinguish unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as client identifier. This enables Google Analytics to calculate the visitor, session and campaign data for the site’s analysis reports.   User Behaviour Analysis: This helps website owners to  understand how visitors interact with their sites by supplying data such as visit duration, pages consulted and the path followed  on the site.    _gid (Google Analytics 24 hours Unique Session Identifier: The cookie contains a unique identifier that is used to generate statistics on the way the visitor uses the website during a specific session.  Session Data : Similar to the  _ga cookie, this stores information on the user’s interactions with the website during a particular visit.       User and Session Tracking: Like the  _ga cookie, the _gid cookie is used to distinguish the users but is focused principally on session tracking. It helps Google Analytics to understand the interactions of users within a session on a specific website.    Performance Analysis: This helps analyse the site’s performances by providing data on user behaviour, such as pages visited, visit duration and the actions effected on the site during a given session.    What cookies are installed on your computer and how to delete them ? To find out what cookies are installed on your device or to delete them, go to the following addresses for full information and details of procedures:    Firefox Chrome Safari Internet Explorer https://support.mozilla.org/fr/kb/effacer-cookies-donnees-site-firefox?redirectslug=effacer-les-cookies-pour-supprimer-les-information&redirectlocale=fr https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=fr https://support.apple.com/fr-be/guide/safari/manage-cookies-and-website-data-sfri11471/mac https://support.microsoft.com/fr-be/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies Firefox (mobile) Chrome (mobile) Safari (mobile) Internet Explorer (mobile) https://support.mozilla.org/fr/kb/effacer-cookies-donnees-site-firefox?redirectslug=effacer-les-cookies-pour-supprimer-les-information&redirectlocale=fr https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=fr https://support.apple.com/fr-be/HT201265 https://support.microsoft.com/fr-be/help/4027947/windows-delete-cookies You can also use your browser settings (Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, etc.). Consult your browser's help function or support website for more detailed information on activating, deactivating and deleting cookies. If you use another browser, you will find information and procedures on the www.allaboutcookies.org/manage-cookies website. This site is only available in English. External links The Institution's website refers to other sites by providing external links to document certain information.  The use of these links is the responsibility of the user, and the sites in question have their own privacy and cookie policies. We advise users to consult these documents.
Health issues
Porphyria
What is porphyria? Porphyrias are rare disorders caused by a deficient production of haem, an essential molecule for the transport of oxygen (via the haemoglobin) and the elimination of medicines (via the cytochromes). Depending on the type of porphyria these diseases result in abdominal pain,  neurological disorders and/or skin problems. Some crises can be triggered by certain medicines, fasting, alcohol or an infection. In most cases porphyrias are hereditary diseases that develop during adulthood. Some of the skin problems can become apparent during childhood while others can be secondary to other health problems. The diagnosis is established by blood, urine and genetic tests. Treatment of porphyria Treatment of porphyria depends on the type of porphyria. Acute porphyrias require a multidisciplinary approach based on prevention and the treatment of acute attacks. Haem is administered via a central venous catheter in acute situations.  Pain management sometimes requires the administration of powerful analgesics. Neurological disorders can require specific care.  Prevention consists principally of  eliminating trigger factors such as certain medicines (especially the contraceptive pill) and alcohol.  Certain severe forms may require a liver transplant.  Recently, a new treatment with Givosiran has made it possible, under certain specific conditions, to improve the quality of life of patients who suffer recurring acute attacks of porphyria. This can only be prescribed following an initial assessment at one of the 2 reference centres in Belgium, one of which is at the Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B) and the other at UZ Leuven university hospital. When the porphyria takes the form of a skin complaint, treatment can be by bleedletting, medicines and/or protection against the sun.  In the long term, porphyrias  can be accompanied by complications such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or liver problems.Regular follow-up with a specialist is therefore essential to prevent acute attacks and to identify complications related to the disease. Our specialists Need some medical advice?Dr. Tom AbrassartHématologistSpecialized in porphyria Make an appointment Focus The Hematology Department of the Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B) and the Medical Chemistry Department of LHUB-ULB together form the Belgian Porphyria Centre, which is one of the 16 expert clinical centers for porphyrias (PECC). In Belgium, it is one of the two centers authorized to initiate treatment with Givosiran.The Medical Chemistry Department is one of the specialized centers in the international network dedicated to porphyria, IPNET. It also holds recognition as a National Reference Center for Rare Diseases for certain analyses related to porphyrias. Discover our Hematology Department Associate doctors Prof. Frédéric Cotton - Head of Medical Chemistry Department - Laboratoire Hospitalier Universitaire de Bruxelles (LHUB-ULB).Prof. Fleur Wolff - Head of Hormonology Clinic -  Laboratoire Hospitalier Universitaire de Bruxelles (LHUB-ULB).Ph.Biol. David Fage - Medical Director - Special Biochemistry -  Laboratoire Hospitalier Universitaire de Bruxelles (LHUB-ULB).
Porphyria
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Practical information
Image Access and parking Here you will find full details concerning addresses, access, car parks, signposting and PRM facilities Image Consultations and Hospitalisation All you need to know Image Day hospital The Day Hospital welcomes patients for surgery and provides treatment for pain relief. Image Blood tests Do you need a blood test? Find out more here. Address Hôpital Erasme Route de Lennik 808 1070 Bruxelles Belgium Phone +32 2 555 3111 Email contact@erasme.ulb.ac.be Schedule Ouvert 24 heures GPS coordinates 50.814404685823845 4.265633421008964 Image Useful links Mediation and patients' rights Social services department Moral, religious or philosophical assistance Shops / cafés Wifi Volunteers Financial conditions International patient
Information
Preparing your hospital bag
We suggest you to pack certain items: Pyjamas and nightshirts Dressing gown Comfortable, non-slip shoes (slippers)  Underwear Necessary toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, soap, comb, hair brush, towel, face flannel)   Any medicine you take regularly, in original packaging (or at least the list). We ask you to make a list of all the medicine you take, with or without prescription, whether daily or occasionally. Also make a list of medicines to which you are allergic or that disagree with you. You can give these lists to the nurses at the time of being admitted to the unit.  A thermometer issued at the time of a previous hospitalisation. If you don't have one, you will be issued with one – which you can take with you when you leave – and for which you will be invoiced.  Your support stockings or body band if requested by the doctor. Also remember to pack some books, newspapers, laptop, PC, charger, etc.  If you wear glasses or contact lenses, dentures or a hearing aid, please deposit them in the case or other recipient provided.  The day before your surgery, please remember to: Take an antiseptic shower / shampooing (if recommended) Remove any nail varnish and false nails, in gel or resin, from your hands and feet Cut and file your nails Remove any make-up, false eyelashes, jewellery, piercing Do not eat, drink or smoke after midnight!!   Please follow strictly the instructions of your anaesthetist regarding any medicines that you should or should not take on the day itself or the previous day.  Preparing your belongings before hospitalisation to make your stay as comfortable as possible