World Hepatitis Day observed                              28th July,2016

World Hepatitis Day (28th July) was observed today in OPD Block of the hospital to raise awareness about hepatitis and encourage its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The theme for this year's World Hepatitis Day is ‘Eliminate Hepatitis’. Those present on the occasion were Dr Rajoo Singh Chinna, Dr Sandeep Singh Sidhu, Dr Sandeep Kaushal and Dr Omesh Goyal.

According to Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina (Professor & Head of Gastoenterology), Viral Hepatitis is a widely spread infection and consists mainly of four different types of Hepatitis known as Hepatitis A, B, C and E.  

‘Hepatitis’ actually means inflammation of the liver. Certain drugs, heavy alcohol use and bacterial and viral infections are main cause of hepatitis. Approximately, 400 million people all over the world are infected with hepatitis B and C around the world. Hepatitis B and C are usually transmitted through transfusions of infected blood and blood products, unsafe Injections during medical procedures, unsafe sex and other body fluids, Mother to child Transmission and sharing of  Injections for drug usage. Vaccine and treatment is available for hepatitis B but there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Transmission of both these infections can be prevented by taking certain precautions.

The symptoms for Hepatitis A and E could include poor appetitie, tiredness, nausea, fever or yellowing of the skin or eyes – a condition called jaundice. Owing to their chronic nature, Hepatitis B and C may damage a person’s liver to great degree for years without any symptoms. Treatment for Hepatitis C is now available in tablet forms for a duration of three months only