GURGAON: City doctors on Tuesday urged the need of Hepatitis check ups for those who had blood transfusions before 2004.
Patients who underwent transfusions before 2004 should preferably get themselves screened for the blood-borne virus that has the potential to cause chronic hepatitis C infection, liver cirrhosis, even liver cancer. Since it is spread through blood and blood products, not food or water, people are often unaware of how they contracted hepatitis C.
"In India, one of the biggest causes of the spread of the virus is blood transfusions, especially those that took place before 2004, when the new regulations on blood screening began to be implemented," said Dr (Prof) Gourdas Choudhuri, Director and HOD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon.
"Though blood screening has improved greatly, it may still not be foolproof. Certain categories of people who are at high risk include those who need frequent blood transfusions, like patients of thalassemia. Patients of renal failure are also prone to contract the infection through dialysis machines. Others at risk include those who have multiple needle injections, such as diabetics and intravenous drug users; medical professionals, such as surgeons and nurses, who may be exposed to needle-stick injuries; as well as spouses of those who have liver disease," he says.
Secondary causes include sharing personal care items such as toothbrushes and razors with a person infected with the virus. It also may get transmitted through unprotected sex, and tattooing.
World Health Organization (WHO) data indicates that 1% of the Indian population is infected with the virus. Hepatitis C, if undetected, can damage the liver over a period of several years, often progressing from inflammation to permanent, irreversible scarring (cirrhosis). Since it often does not show any symptoms it may remain undiagnosed for many years, eventually causing chronic hepatitis infections. Such cases account for 55-85% of cases, as per the WHO.
In India, the prevalence of the Hepatitis C is relatively higher in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
Patients who underwent transfusions before 2004 should preferably get themselves screened for the blood-borne virus that has the potential to cause chronic hepatitis C infection, liver cirrhosis, even liver cancer. Since it is spread through blood and blood products, not food or water, people are often unaware of how they contracted hepatitis C.
"In India, one of the biggest causes of the spread of the virus is blood transfusions, especially those that took place before 2004, when the new regulations on blood screening began to be implemented," said Dr (Prof) Gourdas Choudhuri, Director and HOD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon.
"Though blood screening has improved greatly, it may still not be foolproof. Certain categories of people who are at high risk include those who need frequent blood transfusions, like patients of thalassemia. Patients of renal failure are also prone to contract the infection through dialysis machines. Others at risk include those who have multiple needle injections, such as diabetics and intravenous drug users; medical professionals, such as surgeons and nurses, who may be exposed to needle-stick injuries; as well as spouses of those who have liver disease," he says.
Secondary causes include sharing personal care items such as toothbrushes and razors with a person infected with the virus. It also may get transmitted through unprotected sex, and tattooing.
World Health Organization (WHO) data indicates that 1% of the Indian population is infected with the virus. Hepatitis C, if undetected, can damage the liver over a period of several years, often progressing from inflammation to permanent, irreversible scarring (cirrhosis). Since it often does not show any symptoms it may remain undiagnosed for many years, eventually causing chronic hepatitis infections. Such cases account for 55-85% of cases, as per the WHO.
In India, the prevalence of the Hepatitis C is relatively higher in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
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