The World Health Organization (WHO) in its recent report has issued a warning regarding the increasing infectious diseases in India. According to the report, there has been a rapid increase in the cases of Hepatitis B and C in India in the year 2022, more than 3.5 crore cases of infection have been registered this year. After China, India has become the second country with the highest number of cases of hepatitis B and C infection. This is a serious indicator of health.
According to WHO's 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, in the year 2022, globally 254 million (25.4 crores) people were suffering from hepatitis B, and 50 million (five crores) people were suffering from hepatitis C. Not only this, the number of deaths due to viral hepatitis is increasing.
Globally, these infectious diseases cause more than 1.3 million (13 lakh) deaths every year. Out of this infection occurring worldwide, 11.6 percent of cases are reported from India alone. Health experts said it is important for all people to be aware of these infectious diseases and keep taking preventive measures.
More than 3500 people are dying every day
Every day, 3,500 people are dying globally due to hepatitis B and C infections, the report released at the World Hepatitis Summit said. Five types of viruses cause different forms of viral hepatitis, the most prominent being hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
Hepatitis B and C infections mainly affect the liver, which can not only cause inflammation of the liver but in severe cases there is also a risk of liver damage.
How does hepatitis B and C infection spread?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by a virus called hepatitis B. In most people, this infection gets cured in some time, although in some cases it can last up to six months. At the same time, due to inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis-C virus, there can be a risk of serious disease including liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis B infection is spread by the entry of blood, semen, or other body fluids of an infected person into the body of a healthy person. Whereas Hepatitis C is caused by coming in contact with the blood of an infected person. Most people become infected with hepatitis C virus by sharing needles used to prepare medications and inject drugs.
What are the symptoms of this infection?
It is not necessary to see symptoms in case of hepatitis B infection. In this, some people may have a fever, loss of appetite, stomach pain, vomiting, weakness, and fatigue along with some liver-related problems. In severe cases, jaundice, dark urine, and swelling with fluid in the abdomen or arms and legs may occur.
Similarly, in the case of hepatitis C infection, problems like pain in the upper right side of the stomach, swelling in the stomach along with fever, itching, and jaundice are seen. It becomes necessary to identify the symptoms in time.
How to protect against these infectious diseases?
The best way to prevent hepatitis B is vaccination. However, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. It is advisable to follow those measures to prevent infection so that the spread of infection can be reduced. It is important to get tested for hepatitis C because treatment can cure most people with hepatitis C in 8 to 12 weeks.
Health experts said that as the cases of these two infectious diseases are increasing, all people should continue taking preventive measures.
(PC: ISTOCK)
