KOCHI: Despite the hepatitis elimination programmes gathering pace, isolated instances of hepatitis continue to be reported from the district. The issue with hepatitis is many people have little or no understanding of the basic facts about it. Contrary to popular belief, hepatitis spreads mostly through bodily fluids. Also, if the virus exists in one person, the chances of it being passed down the generations is pretty high, say experts.
Last year 453 cases of suspected Hepatitis A cases were reported from the state and 100 cases were confirmed. One death also happened. While 16 cases of Hepatitis B was confirmed three cases of Hepatitis C were also detected.
This year 171 cases of suspected Hepatitis A have been reported so far while 30 cases have been confirmed.
Thirty-two cases of Hepatitis B have been confirmed in the district while two cases of Hepatitis C and one case of Hepatitis E were confirmed.
“If we have a comprehensive system of investigation of disease and causes, more cases might come out. Many also rely on private hospitals and thus several cases thus go unreported. We need a registry for hepatitis and it is high time the virus and its fatal nature is factored in.
Firstly people should actually undergo the screening which is available at government hospitals. Many fail to get timely medical help, thinking the virus will weaken on its own or by relying on alternative modes of medicine. However, the lack of proper treatment might actually prove fatal for the patients,” said Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, Specialist in Hepatology and Liver Transplant Medicine.
“It is critical for people with chronic Hepatitis B infections to take their medicines exactly as prescribed. Failure to do so can cause the virus to develop resistance to antiviral medicines, complicating Hepatitis B management. This is why HBV patients must be regularly monitored by healthcare professionals to ensure proper management of the disease,” he said.
