Dehradun : On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun, is raising awareness about viral hepatitis and highlighting the importance of timely screening, vaccination, early diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures to reduce its burden. This year’s official theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” calls for breaking down barriers to awareness, testing, prevention, treatment, and care while encouraging greater understanding of the five types of viral hepatitis—Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.
Viral hepatitis remains a major global public health challenge and is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. While effective vaccines are available for Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis E. ,Hepatitis C can now be cured with modern antiviral medicines, many infected individuals remain unaware of their condition because the disease often progresses silently without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. As a result, diagnosis is frequently delayed until significant liver damage has already occurred. Timely screening and early diagnosis play a crucial role in preventing complications and improving treatment outcomes.
Different types of viral hepatitis spread through different routes. Hepatitis A and E are commonly transmitted through contaminated food and water, while Hepatitis B, C and D spread through infected blood and body fluids. Maintaining good hygiene, consuming safe food and drinking water, avoiding unsafe injections, ensuring screened blood transfusions and receiving recommended vaccinations are some of the most effective ways to prevent infection.
Common symptoms of viral hepatitis include persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark-coloured urine, pale stools and unexplained weight loss. However, many people may not experience any symptoms for months or even years, making routine screening especially important for those with recognised risk factors or a family history of liver disease.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mayank Gupta, Principal Consultant – Gastroenterology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun, said, “One of the biggest challenges in controlling viral hepatitis is that many infected individuals remain completely unaware of their condition until significant liver damage has already occurred. The encouraging fact is that viral hepatitis is largely preventable, and several forms can be effectively treated when diagnosed early. Raising awareness, promoting timely screening, expanding vaccination coverage and ensuring access to appropriate treatment are essential to reducing the burden of liver disease and supporting the global goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.”
He further added, “Preventing viral hepatitis begins with simple but effective measures such as maintaining good personal hygiene, consuming safe food and clean drinking water, avoiding unsafe injections, receiving recommended Hepatitis A and B vaccinations and seeking timely medical advice whenever symptoms or risk factors are present. Equally important is addressing the stigma associated with viral hepatitis, as fear and misinformation often prevent people from coming forward for testing and treatment. By improving awareness and encouraging informed health decisions, we can protect individuals, families and communities from the long-term impact of this disease.”
On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun, encourages people to prioritise liver health by understanding the risks of viral hepatitis, recognising its early warning signs and seeking timely medical consultation whenever required. Through greater awareness, preventive practices, early diagnosis, vaccination and equitable access to quality healthcare services, viral hepatitis can be prevented, treated and ultimately eliminated as a major public health threat.
