Hepatitis-B emerging as major threat in Jammu, 12 cases detected recently

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Aug 6: The number of Hepatitis-B cases being detected in Jammu and Kashmir is showing increased trend in recent past, sending alarm bells ringing among the health officials.

Sources said that the health and medical department is doing every possible effort to decrease the disease by organizing medical checkup and awareness camps at far flung area of the state.

They further said that the people living in rural area are more prone to this disease as they are no source of awareness and treatment.

“In the recent camp organized by the health and medical department 12 cases has been found of Hepatitis-B in Simbal camp area” they added.

"This virus is more deadly the HIV virus and spread easily than AIDS virus” said a doctor.

Talking to TNI, Head of Department, Gastroenterologist Department, GMC Dr Bharat Bushan Gupta said that the symptoms of Hepatitis-B are fatigue, joint aches, fever, nausea, vomiting, stomachache, jaundice, dark urine and clay-coloured stools.

He further said that it is a silent killer and if the virus detect in earlier stage than it is curable by giving proper treatment to the patient.

He added that some of the causes for spreading this virus are resembled to HIV virus, but is more harmful than HIV adding that sometimes it takes about 15 years to deduct the virus.

Gupta said that the disease is life threatening and if not treated on time. “Virus can cause inflammation of the liver which led to cirrhosis and liver cancer”, he said.

Hepatitis B is a blood borne disease which is more infectious than HIV virus. As per the medical experts, the best way to prevent this disease is awareness among the masses because if detected on time can be cured in 80 percent of the cases.

The informed that the virus can cause inflammation of the liver which leads to cancer.

He advised for the proper checkup and said that immunization should be given to every person to avoid infection from Hepatitis-B virus.