Hepatitis

Inflammation of liver is usually referred as hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is a widespread infectious disease normally caused by the hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to liver fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.

In South-East Asia, 100 million people are currently estimated to be living with hepatitis B, and 30 million with hepatitis C. In India, viral hepatitis is now recognized as a serious public health problem. It places a huge disease, social and economic burden on the affected individual, family, as well as the health system.

In India, as per latest estimates, 40 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B and six to 12 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C. HEV is the most important cause of epidemic hepatitis, though HAV is more common among children. Most acute liver failures diagnosed are attributable to HEV.