Hepatitis in India: A preventable disease still claiming lives
Decades later, while we've gained vaccines, better hygiene practices, and public health campaigns, hepatitis continues to claim thousands of lives annually in India.
After its first unwelcome debut in India in the 1950s, hepatitis has remained one of the most persistent illnesses, refusing to leave quietly.
Back then, it spread mostly through contaminated water and poor sanitation, giving rise to periodic outbreaks of hepatitis A and E.
Decades later, while we’ve gained vaccines, better hygiene practices, and public health campaigns, hepatitis continues to claim thousands of lives annually in India.
The villains may have evolved but the problem remains fundamentally the same: silent spread, poor awareness, and late action.
Before diving into India's unique challenges, it’s important to understand that hepatitis is not one disease, but a family of five viruses - A, B, C, D, and E. Each one affects the liver but in different ways:
Hepatitis A and E: Spread through contaminated food and water, these forms usually cause acute infections, and are more common in areas with poor sanitation. Hepatitis E is particularly dangerous in pregnant women.
Source: Indiatoday
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