Haryana is becoming a hot spot due to fast increasing cases of Hepatitis disease. According to Dr Praveen Malhotra PGIMS Rohtak, the root cause of spread of this disease is due to use of infected needles, liver damage due to excessive use of liquor and drugs, as a result thousands of patients are seen suffering from Hepatitis are detected in OPD in government and private hospitals in Haryana state daily. Surprisingly, nearly 150 youths donated blood in the recent past and some time were found suffering from Hepatitis. Similarly, females are found suffering from Hepatitis during tests at the time of delivery. Dr Malhotra said in the past 10 years nearly 28,000 patients have been detected suffering from Hepatitis C and 9,652 patients detected suffering from Hepatitis B, on an average nearly 80 persons daily which include 15 to 20 new patients in OPDs every day.
Hepatitis B is generally caused due to infected blood transfusion, infected semen and exposure of other fluids in the body. Whereas, hepatitis C is generally caused due to use of infected needles while injecting blood or any other liquid in the body. A general study revealed that people living in rural areas are most affected due to Hepatitis disease, which include nearly 70% cases, of which nearly 50% patients were found taking drinks or drugs excessively or were indulged in frequent sex, and often visiting prostitutes. On the other hand, nearly 30% of patients suffering from this disease visiting hospitals for treatment are found residing in rural areas or belonging to families below poverty line. Among patients suffering from this highly infectious disease are usually seen 65% males and 35% females.
Hepatitis basically is a disease due to viruses consisting of five types of serious nature viruses A,B,C,D, and E in which the liver gets swollen. B and C viruses are highly infectious and cause Hepatitis, as a result large numbers of patients suffering from this dreaded disease lose lives every year if not treated timely. Symptoms of Hepatitis disease include suffering from Jaundice, change in urine colour, tiredness, frequent vomiting sensation, stomach ache, uneasiness, lack of appetite and loss in weight. Dr Malhotra said that in the gastrology department at PGIMS Rohtak 37,000 Endoscopy and 400 fiber scans have been conducted so far free of cost. He said, excessive use of liquor and drugs, sex relationship with some infected person of the opposite sex, fatness, ‘Kala Peelia’ are some of the prime reasons for this disease.
