AIIMS Warns of Hepatitis A Risks from Contaminated Sources
New Delhi: Doctors at AIIMS-Delhi have issued a cautionary alert regarding the consumption of contaminated food and water, the primary cause of Hepatitis A, which has seen an increase in cases in the national capital recently. The hospital reports a notable rise in Hepatitis A cases, particularly among children and young adults aged 18-25, according to Dr. Shalimar, a professor at the Department of Gastroenterology.
Hepatitis A and E, both transmitted mainly through water contaminated with fecal matter, are typically self-limiting infections that do not require specific antiviral treatment. Dr. Pramod Garg, head of the Gastroenterology Department, emphasized that these infections are managed symptomatically and can largely be prevented through safe drinking water, proper food handling practices, and good hygiene.
A study by AIIMS’ Gastroenterology Department revealed that Hepatitis A and E constitute 30% of acute liver failure cases, which have a mortality rate exceeding 50%. In contrast, Hepatitis B and C cause chronic liver disease and are leading causes of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths. Dr. Deepak Gunjan, an additional professor in the department, explained that these infections occur through exposure to infected blood, unscreened blood transfusions, unsafe sexual practices, and injectable drug use. Hepatitis B often requires long-term treatment, while Hepatitis C can be cured in more than 95% of patients with a three-month antiviral regimen.
Liver damage can also result from an unhealthy lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, certain drugs, and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Samagra Agarwal, an assistant professor in the department, stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including avoiding alcohol, maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding potentially liver-toxic medications without medical advice.
The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to reduce new chronic hepatitis infections by 90% and viral hepatitis-related deaths by 65% by 2030. In line with this, India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Program provides free vaccination for Hepatitis B to all newborns and free treatment for Hepatitis B and C. Dr. Garg highlighted that India, one of the ten countries with the highest burden of viral hepatitis, accounts for approximately 12% of the world’s cases, with an estimated 40 million chronically infected with Hepatitis B and 6 to 12 million with Hepatitis C. He urged individuals at risk, such as those who have received blood transfusions, healthcare workers, pregnant women, intravenous drug users, and family members of Hepatitis B patients, to get tested at government healthcare facilities.
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