All of us know that prevention is better than cure and its importance cannot be overemphasized. However, not every disease is preventable and screening provides us with the second best option of catching them early. Although there are various definitions for screening it can simply be summed up as detecting disease early in asymptomatic (those without any symptoms) individuals.
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Medical care of a child is different from that
Medical care of a child is different from that of an adult, and no one knows this as well as a Paediatrician (Child specialist). Similarly, the Orthopaedic care of a child is different from that of an adult.
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The current era of sedentary lifestyle is coupled with an exponential growth of lifestyle diseases like Diabetes Mellitus and high Blood Pressure, but very few people have heard of Chronic kidney disease as a public health menace. The numbers are simply frightening in 2005.
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According to Dr. Avnish Seth, Director, Gastroenterology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute- “For the World Hepatitis Day 2018, with the theme of “Eliminate Hepatitis” the WHO has already redefined their mission. However in India, there is no definite reporting for Hepatitis and we are far from eliminating this disease. Chronic Hepatitis is a silent killer and can go undetected for decades, causing severe damage to the liver. Hence, prevention and early detection is the key. The bad news is that among the types of Hepatitis viruses – A, B, C, D & E, vaccine is available for only Hepatitis A & B and many of us cannot recall whether we received vaccination or not.”
According to WHO- “Viral Hepatitis B and C are major health challenges, affecting 325 million people globally. They are root causes of liver cancer, leading to 1.34 million deaths every year. Hepatitis B and C are chronic infections that may not show symptoms for a long period, sometimes years or decades. At least 60% of liver cancer cases are due to late testing and treatment of Hepatitis B and C. Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to be addressed in order to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030.”
| About Hepatitis | Symptoms | Vaccine |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A is transmitted by consumption of contaminated food and water. The best way to eat safe and avoid street food. Come summer and rains, the fear of hepatitis A increases. | Symptoms: loss of appetite, fever, high colored urine, jaundice, nausea and vomiting | Vaccine: Available. Recommended for all children above 1 year and adults who are IgG-antiHAV negative. Two doses needed, at 0 and 6 months. No booster required. |
| Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is caused by entry of infected blood, body fluids or tattoos | Symptoms: Acute type - loss of appetite, fever, high colored urine, jaundice, nausea and vomiting Chronic type- may have no symptoms for years, but may show up as cirrhosis later. |
Vaccine: Available. Three injections are given (from newborn to adults) at 0, 1 and 6 months |
| Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is caused by entry of infected blood, body fluids or tattoos | Symptoms: Acute type is very rare Chronic type- may have no symptoms for years, but may show up as cirrhosis later. | Vaccine: None. |
| Hepatitis D Virus- infection occurs only in patients infected with Chronic HBV | Symptoms: Same as Chronic Hepatitis B | Vaccine: None. Prevention against HBV is the key |
| Hepatitis E Virus- is transmitted by consumption of contaminated food and water. Can be dangerous in pregnancy. | Symptoms: Jaundice, appetite and weight loss, nausea, enlarged and tender liver. Transmitted by oral route, i.e., going through contaminated food and water to end up in your food, including uncooked shellfish, much like HAV. |
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