Physicians at AIIMS-Delhi are warning people about the dangers of consuming contaminated food and water, which are the primary causes of the recent increase in Hepatitis A cases in the national capital.
An uptick in Hepatitis A cases, particularly affecting children and individuals aged 18-25, has been observed at the hospital, according to Dr. Shalimar, a professor at the Department of Gastroenterology at AIIMS, who addressed this during a press conference.
Dr Pramod Garg, the head of the Department of Gastroenterology, stated that Hepatitis A and E, both primarily spread through the consumption of water contaminated with faecal matter, are self-limiting infections that do not necessitate specific antiviral medications for treatment; instead, they are symptomatically managed.
He said, "The spread of Hepatitis A and E can be largely prevented by ensuring access to safe and clean drinking water, safe food handling practices, and good hygiene."
According to a study carried out by the Department of Gastroenterology at AIIMS, Hepatitis A and E collectively account for 30% of acute liver failure cases, a condition with a high mortality rate of over 50%, as stated by Dr Deepak Gunjan, an additional professor in the department, during a press conference.
Chronic liver disease is caused by Hepatitis B and C, which are the most common factors leading to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and deaths related to viral hepatitis, as per Dr. Deepak Gunjan.
Dr Deepak Gunjan also mentioned that Hepatitis B and C infections can occur through exposure to infected blood, such as unscreened blood transfusions, mother-to-child transmission during birth and delivery, unsafe sexual practices, and injectable drug use.
Besides hepatitis viruses, the liver can be harmed by numerous factors, including an unhealthy lifestyle, alcohol consumption, drug use, and autoimmune diseases.
Dr Samagra Agarwal, an assistant professor in the department, highlighted that excessive body weight, diabetes, or a sedentary lifestyle can lead to an accumulation of fat in the liver, which, if left unaddressed, can also contribute to long-term liver damage.
Maintaining a healthy way of life, such as refraining from alcohol, consuming nutritious foods, engaging in daily physical activity, and avoiding any medication that may be harmful to the liver without consulting a doctor, is crucial for liver health.
As indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 66 per cent of the worldwide impact of viral Hepatitis B and C is concentrated in 10 countries, including India.
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