The hepatitis outbreak control imperatives for India

Caused by multiple factors including viruses, toxins, drugs, alcohol, etc., hepatitis can have a debilitating effect on human health. Given the seriousness of the disease which can quickly turn into an outbreak, it is imperative for India to control it, if not nip it in the bud, by following a few precautionary good practices

- DR NUTAN DESAI

Hepatitis or inflammation of the liver can result from various factors like infection by multiple viruses, drugs, toxins, alcohol, etc. Acute hepatitis can lead to acute hepatocellular failure, need for liver transplantation, and death in a subset of patients, depending on various factors.

There are five main strains of hepatitis virus, namely A, B, C, D, and E- all of which can damage the liver. However, their mode of transmission, severity, and location where they are more prevalent, and prevention methods differ. Hepatitis B and C virus infection can lead to chronic liver disease, including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The gravity of the issue