Health Department conducts awareness campaign on hepatitis in Jogindernagar

In an effort to curb the spread of hepatitis-A (jaundice), the Health and Family Welfare Department conducted an awareness campaign in the urban areas of Jogindernagar in Mandi district yesterday. The campaign aimed to educate the public about the causes, symptoms and prevention of this contagious liver disease. The health workers disseminated essential information at several key locations, including the Government College, Jogindernagar, Mini Secretariat Complex, bus stand, and railway station.

Confirming the initiative, Dr Sanjay Gupta, Block Medical Officer of Padhar, stated that the awareness campaign was held to inform the residents of Jogindernagar about the dangers of hepatitis-A. During the campaign, health personnel interacted with the public and explained how the disease spreads, its symptoms and preventive measures.

Hepatitis-A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis-A virus, which leads to liver inflammation and disrupts normal liver functions. Dr Gupta explained that the virus is primarily found in the stool and urine of infected individuals. A healthy person can contract the virus by consuming food or water contaminated with faecal matter from an infected person.

The symptoms of hepatitis-A include fever, dark-collared urine, pale stools, runny nose, diarrhoea, right-sided abdominal pain, digestive issues, vomiting, joint pain, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, itching and red rashes. If the disease reaches a severe stage, recovery may take several months, and the liver may experience long-term damage.

The awareness campaign was attended by a team of health workers, including health supervisors and ASHA workers.