'Ignorance about Hepatitis B vaccination causes deaths'

GUWAHATI: Hepatitis B is a highly infectious disease that claims many lives, with doctors saying ignorance about vaccination and lack of availability of proper treatment are the primary reasons behind the deaths. "Hepatitis B can spread through saliva, blood, other body fluids, and through sexual relationships. Vaccination is the best preventive measure. The vaccine needs to be taken in three doses within a gap of six weeks. However, people rarely get themselves vaccinated even though it is easily available," said AK Adhikari, principal of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Anti-viral treatment is administered to patients in case of acute Hepatitis B. Approximately 25-50% of children infected between the ages of one and five years will develop chronic Hepatitis B, thus making early vaccination mandatory. Blood donors should also be screened for the disease to the spread of infection.