City one up with 0.4% cases of Hepatitis C

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 27

When it comes to the ailments of liver, Chandigarh has a reason to smile. As per the figures available, the city has a prevalence of 0.4 per cent of Hepatitis C, which is less than the national average of 1%. 

“Chandigarh is a relatively literate and clean city which is why the prevalence rate of Hepatitis C and B here is less than the national average of one per cent. For Hepatitis C, it is about 0.4 per cent and a similar percentage of Hepatitis B,” avers Dr RK Dhiman, Department of Hepatology, PGI.Dhiman, however, added that the liver clinic run twice a week by the Department of Hepatology of the PGI sees about a hundred cases of Hepatitis B and C. “That is because our catchment area is extensive and we get patients from all over the region. 

Most patients come from Punjab, which has a very high prevalence rate of 3 to 5 per cent,” he said.

“Over the years, there has been a significant advancement in the treatment of both the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) with injections and oral drugs. Very potent oral drugs are now available for the HCV at the PGI, the response rate of which is very good,” said Dhiman. Both the HBV and HCV which cause chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) spread by parentral routes like blood transfusion, contaminated needles and instruments, razors and uncommonly by the sexual route.

Dr Ajay Duseja, from the Department of Hepatology, PGI, added, “Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for the HCV and all that is recommended is to take universal precautions while handling patients infected with HCV,” he said.