The Hindu Business Line : Curing Hepatitis C: Early detection, awareness play key roles

"WHEN I was told that I have liver cirrhosis, I was shocked. Liver cirrhosis is mostly related to consumption of alcohol and I never drink," says Ms Sharda Gupta recalling her emotions after taking a test to detect Hepatitis C.

More than nine months after being told about her condition, she urges people to take a simple liver function blood test to detect Hepatitis C, especially if they have undergone a blood transfusion before January 2001.

"There is a cure for Hepatitis C," she says seeking to dispel misconceptions on the illness on a day designated to do just that. Globally, October 1 is a day designated by patients as World Hepatitis-C Awareness Day.

Hailing from a conservative family, Ms Gupta was unable to share the doctor's information with her spouse for two days after being told about her Hepatitis C condition in January this year. But, today, the 63-year-old balances her life with ease between being a grandmother and a business-woman selling wire-ropes for elevators.

"I was put on pegylated interferon injections as treatment, which I take thrice a week. It is working very well and even while taking the treatment, I lead a normal life - I do my routine activities like managing the house and the business," she added.

According to Dr Niranjan Banka, Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology with Bombay Hospital: "Screening of blood for the Hepatitis C virus was made mandatory only from June 2001. Majority of people who have received blood transfusion prior to this period are most vulnerable to get the virus. People from the high-risk groups must get their blood screened by a liver function test and an anti-HCV test." According to data from healthcare professionals, India has an estimated 10.9 million people suffering from chronic Hepatitis C. The illness affects three per cent of the world's population. National trends indicate a sizeable concentration of Hepatitis C cases in the North-East. And among the metros, four lakh Delhiites suffer from Hepatitis C, while Mumbai accounts for three lakh cases. Gujarat also carries a patient load of 3.37 lakh.

Every year the number of people infected with the Hepatitis C virus increases by three to four million worldwide.

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