As the world observes World Liver Day on April 19, attention turns to India, where the specter of viral hepatitis casts a long shadow over public health. Gastroenterologists at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, have sounded the alarm, revealing a troubling landscape marked by the prevalence of various hepatitis strains, each posing unique challenges and threats to human health.

Viral hepatitis, characterized by liver inflammation, encompasses a spectrum of diseases including hepatitis A, B, and E. While hepatitis A and E typically manifest as acute infections, posing risks primarily to children and adults through contaminated food and water, hepatitis B and C emerge as chronic afflictions, precipitating severe liver ailments such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Of particular concern is hepatitis B, which accounts for a staggering one-third of all chronic liver diseases in India, with over 50% of liver cancer cases attributed to this viral menace. Meanwhile, hepatitis A emerges as a dominant player in the realm of acute liver failure, casting a shadow over the nation's pediatric health landscape.

Dr. Bhaskar Nandi, Head of Gastroenterology at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, sheds light on the insidious nature of hepatitis B transmission in India. Horizontal transmission, responsible for over 60% of cases, and vertical transmission from mother to newborn constitute primary modes of infection. Unsafe medical practices, IV drug abuse, and risky sexual behavior further compound the transmission risk, underscoring the multifaceted challenges in combatting this silent scourge.

Highlighting the magnitude of the problem, studies reveal that India harbors an intermediate endemicity for hepatitis B, with a prevalence ranging from 2-4%. Tribal populations, in particular, bear a disproportionate burden, with prevalence rates soaring as high as 15.9% in certain regions.

However, the battle against hepatitis extends beyond the realms of epidemiology to encompass the formidable challenges of prevention and treatment. Dr. Nandi emphasizes the critical role of early intervention, noting that hepatitis B often lurks undetected for years before precipitating grave complications such as cirrhosis and liver failure.

The recently released Global Hepatitis Report by the World Health Organization underscores the urgency of the situation, revealing a stark reality wherein despite strides in prevention, mortality rates continue to escalate due to inadequate access to diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Arti Pawaria, Clinical Lead and Senior Consultant in Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, elucidates the treatment landscape for hepatitis A and E, emphasizing the pivotal role of supportive care in managing acute liver failure. With liver transplantation emerging as the sole lifeline for cases of irreversible liver failure, timely intervention assumes paramount importance.

In the realm of prevention, vaccination emerges as a potent weapon in the arsenal against viral hepatitis. The hepatitis A vaccine, administered in two doses spaced six months apart, offers robust protection, underscoring the importance of immunization campaigns in curtailing the spread of this insidious disease.

Despite the formidable challenges posed by viral hepatitis, concerted efforts by both individuals and governmental agencies hold the key to stemming the tide of this silent epidemic. Enhanced awareness, universal vaccination, and improved access to screening and treatment facilities stand as linchpins in the battle for liver health, underscoring the imperative of collective action on World Liver Day and beyond.