KARACHI: Health experts have stated that the hepatitis B and C virus is on the rise in the country affecting as many as 1.45 million people, local media reports have revealed.
In a seminar attended by notable health experts, a pledge to spread awareness about the hepatitis virus was taken considering the number of people affected by the virus.
According to the experts, precautionary vaccine for hepatitis B was available in Pakistan while treatment for hepatitis C virus was also available. They informed that newborns should be vaccinated immediately after birth to eliminate chances of contracting hepatitis B.
Moreseo, patients were advised not to buy any medicines without consulting their doctors as the wrong medicine could be harmful for their health.
Dr Lunba Kamani said that the virus is easily contracted by persons aged between 15 and 40 years. She said that hepatitis E can be cured if proper precautionary measures are taken, but it can be dangerous among women during pregnancy.
DOW International College’s Dr Azam said that there are 60% chances of contracting hepatitis B. There might be no cure for this virus, however, one can stay safe from it by getting a vaccine right after birth, Dr Azam shared.
Dr Channa said that hepatitis is a disease of the liver and hepatitis A is caused by the consumption of polluted water and food and 96% of Pakistanis somehow contract this disease.
