Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver commonly caused by viral infection. In India, over 40 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis B and 12 million are affected by Hepatitis C. We loose over 50,000 individuals annually due to liver failure as a result of hepatitis.
Dr. Avnish Seth, Director, Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary Sciences, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram debunks the myths and states the facts around this condition:
Myth 1: All Hepatitis viruses are the same
Fact: Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are different viruses with different modes of transmission and clinical manifestations. While Hepatitis A and E are transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food, Hepatitis B and C are transmitted by blood transfusion, unprotected sex and tattoos. Hepatitis D is rare in India and occurs only in some patients with Hepatitis B.
Myth 2: Hepatitis A is the most common cause of hepatitis in adults in India
Fact: By the age of 10 years, more than 95 percent children are already positive for Hepatitis A ,indicating poor hygiene and sanitation in the country. Hepatitis E is the most common cause of Acute Viral Hepatitis in adults in India. Unhygienic street food is the major culprit.
Myth 3: One can differentiate between various types of acute viral hepatitis based on clinical symptoms
Fact: Patients develop fever followed by loss of appetite, high coloured urine and vomiting. Jaundice usually lasts for 2 to 3 weeks and the type of virus causing the illness can be differentiated only by blood tests.
Myth 4: All hepatitis can be passed on from parent to child.
Fact: Hepatitis is not a genetic disease and is not inherited. However, Hepatitis B is often transmitted from mother to child during the birthing process. Transmission can be prevented if vaccine and immunoglobulin are administered to the newborn within 12 hours of birth. Mother to child transmission of Hepatitis C is rare.
Myth 5: Hepatitis virus A and E can spread with-in the family
Fact: By the time jaundice appears the patient stops shedding virus in stool and becomes non-infectious. Epidemics of Hepatitis E usually result from contamination of a water source with sewage.
Myth 6: Vaccine is available against all types of Hepatitis virus
Fact: Vaccine is available only against Hepatitis A and B
Myth 7: One should limit oneself to only bland and boiled food during hepatitis
Fact: Good nutrition is important during hepatitis. In the presence of nausea and vomiting, whatever the patient desires to eat should be welcome. Glucose solution, sugarcane juice, bitter gourd, radish are not recommended. Consumption of turmeric need not be restricted as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Myth 8: Breastfeeding is unsafe during Hepatitis?
Fact: Breastfeeding is safe as Hepatitis virus cannot be transmitted to the baby through breast milk.
Myth 9: Tattooing and piercing do not transmit Hepatitis B and C
Fact: Use of unsterile sharp instruments for procedures like tattooing, piercing, face cleaning, manicure, pedicure may transmit the viruses.
Myth 10: It is safe to consume alcohol as soon as the jaundice disappears
Fact: The liver takes up to 6 months to repair itself. Alcohol should be avoided for 6 months after Hepatitis A and E and for life in patients who develop Chronic Hepatitis B or C.
Govt slashes prices of 41 medicines
Antacids, multivitamins, and antibiotics are among the medicines that will become cheaper, according to a notification issued by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
At least 1 in 5 new mothers experiences postpartum depression: Doctors
While parenthood comes as a blessing for many, for more than 20 per cent of mothers, the new chapter of life creates stress, anxiety and postpartum depression, which can turn fatal for both the mother and child, without adequate support, said doctors on Mother’s Day on Sunday.
New immunotherapy to fight cancer, keep healthy cells safe
A team of US researchers has developed a new immunotherapy technique that uses cytokine proteins as a potential treatment, effectively targeting tumours without causing harm to healthy cells.
Why excess sugar, oil are as dangerous for liver as alcohol
While alcohol is known to be bad for liver health, consuming foods rich in sugar and oil may be equally dangerous for the organ as well as for overall health, said doctors on Thursday, ahead of World Liver Day.
Lungs of young adults more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 virus: Study
While older age has been associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, a new study has revealed that the lungs of young adults are more susceptible to the virus.
Congress in Tripura blocks rail stations to protest police fired-killing of 5 farmers in MP
The firing on Tuesday came during raucous protests to demand better crop prices in the drought-ravaged region that saw one farmer suicide every five hours in the past two years.
DMs, SPs of violence-hit MP districts transferred
The farmers agitation entered its eighth day on Thursday. The peasants have been on strike since June 1, demanding loan waiver and fair price for their produce.
Indian American selected among 12 NASA astronaut candidates
He continued on to earn a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated from the US Naval Test Pilot School.