Hepatitis On Rise In India: What Is Causing It?

Hepatitis, a disease that causes inflammation of liver, is more prevalent than HIV in India and has a mortality rate exceeding nine times of TB. The inflammation of the liver can be caused by a number of things, including viruses, chemicals, drugs, alcohol, genetic disorders, or an overactive immune system. It usually presents with symptoms like fever, jaundice and abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea, loss of appetite and acute liver faiure.

Rising Hepatitis Cases In Children

As per Liver Specialists, the recent rise in hepatitis cases among children could be attributed to several factors including inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices, contamination of food and water supplies, low level vaccination coverage and increased exposure to hepatitis virus. Moreover, the cases rise of Hepatitis A and E, significantly rise in monsoon, sewages overflow and contaminate water sources.

According to Dr BS Ahuja, M.B.B.S, M.D (medicine) at Kharay Hospital, Ludhiana, said "Street food is the largest cause of liver infection through contaminated food and water in India", he said. Adding further, Dr Ahuja opined, "While most liver infections are self-limiting, meaning they resolve on their own, about 2% can become life-threatening, especially if left undetected".

Diet plays a crucial role in both the prevention and management of liver infections, particularly Hepatitis. Even in extreme cases of infection, proper hydration is the key, besides eating nutrient-rich food. Avoiding certain foods, especially those prepared under unhygienic conditions plays a crucial role when it comes to prevention.

Street foods like panipuri and chaat are particularly risky. Food items involving unboiled water, raw salads and juices also put you at risk. Dr Thiagarajan Srinivasan, Liver Transplant Specialist at MGM Healthcare, emphasises that even food cooked at home should be handled with care. "Avoid eating food that was cooked more than 12 hours ago. Additionally, food should only be reheated once, and fried foods should not be reheated at all."

He also talked about the concerning trend which involves the use of used cooking oil by smaller eateries as a cost-cutting measure. These oil, often sourced from high-end restaurants, pose serious health risks and should be avoided at all costs.