World Hepatitis Day: ‘Bringing Hepatitis care closer to you’ | World Hepatitis Day : ‘I can’t wait (because) Hepatitis can’t wait’

I looked with concern at my 32 year old cousin, who had come from the village as he looked unwell. He had been taking alcohol since almost 10 years and had tested positive for Hepatitis C. The ultrasound suggested Cirrhosis, an irreversible change that signifies permanent liver damage. As a Gastroenterology and liver specialist I had been seeing such patients for the past many years, particularly Diabetic, Hepatitis C positive and taking alcohol regularly. Hence such patients ended up damaging their liver much quicker as compared to the ones who have one of the factors mentioned here.

I spoke to him in presence of his wife and elder brother and it did not surprise me that none of them were aware of Hepatitis C ("Kaala peeliaa" as it is called locally in Punjab). Taking alcohol was his habit now but he convincingly said he would abandon it. Over the next year it was a weekly treatment routine of visiting forspecial injections, which in his case were complicated with reduced blood count requiring further treatment to keep things stable. In spite of regular treatment, he did not do well and ended up developing all the complications of chronic liver disease and succumbed to his illness in a total of less than 4 yearsfrom our first consultation,as liver transplant could not be arranged for him. It pains me immensely to see such a young, vibrant person with a family who took to regular alcohol without realising how harmful it could prove and also completely unaware of his viral hepatitis infection.

Today, 28^th of July, is World Hepatitis Day which is earmarked for the awareness of Viral Hepatitis by WHO. This silent infection which usually gives symptoms when complications occur, otherwise can only be found out on testing. WHO has slogans for different years and this year is ‘Bringing Hepatitis care closer to you’.

Enormous work to tackle this problem of Hepatitis (hepatitis C in particular) has been doneand the ‘Punjab model’ developed by PGIMER Chandigarh has been emulated in many other states. The treatment has evolved from very expensive injections to tablets and that too are now available free of cost in the civil hospitals.

As physicians, as people affected by Viral Hepatitis or as anyone in society who is aware of this infection really,it is our duty to spread the word and create awareness so that this infection can be eradicated and this would mean a lot many livers and lives saved.

Post Covid, other viral infections have once again taken a centre stage and viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B and C in particular) are affecting millions of people causing chronic liver disease and it’s complications leading to morbidity and mortality. They are more prevalent than HIV and can be prevented and treated.

Hepatitis viruses :

Hepatitis A – From food and contaminated drinking water (faeco-oral route)

Vaccination available.Self-limiting with no specific treatment.

Hepatitis B – From blood and blood products as well as activities that involve sharing things like razors, tooth brushes etc. This is more infectious than HIV!

Vaccination available. Treatments available with specialised doctors.

Hepatitis C – Spread similar to Hepatitis B.

No vaccination. Treatment available (free in civil hospitals in many states of India)

Hepatitis D – Tags along with Hepatitis B. No separate infection of note.

Hepatitis E– From food and contaminated drinking water (faeco-oral route). Self-limiting and no specific treatment. No available vaccine presently.

Author is 

Dr. Gurbilas P. Singh

MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (London)