Screen for Hepatitis C if you had blood transfusion

Doctors say blood transfusions before 2000 are one of the biggest causes of Hepatitis C incidence in India and patients who underwent transfusions before this date should preferably get themselves screened for the blood-borne virus that has the potential to cause chronic hepatitis C infection, severe liver disease, even liver cancer. Since it is spread through blood, not food or water, people are often unaware of how they contracted hepatitis C.

“In India, one of the biggest causes of the spread of the virus is blood and blood products transfusions, especially those that took place before 2000, when the new regulations on blood screening began to be implemented,” says Dr Sethu Babu, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist, KIMS, Hyderabad.

“Though blood screening has improved greatly, it may still not be foolproof. Certain categories of people who are at high risk include those who need frequent blood transfusions, like patients of thalassemia and those with renal failure. Others at risk include those who require multiple needle injections, such as people living with diabetes and intravenous drug users; medical professionals, such as surgeons and nurses, who may be exposed to needle-stick injuries; as well as spouses of those who have liver disease,” he says.

Secondary causes include sharing personal-care items such as toothbrushes and razors with a person infected with the virus. It also may get transmitted through unprotected sex. World Health Organization (WHO) data indicates that 1% of the Indian population is infected with the virus. Hepatitis C, if undetected, can damage the liver over a period of several years, often progressing from inflammation to permanent, irreversible scarring (cirrhosis).

Since it often does not show any symptoms it may remain undiagnosed for many years, eventually causing chronic hepatitis infections. Such cases account for 55 to 85 per cent of cases, as per the WHO. In India, the prevalence of the Hepatitis C is relatively higher in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

Globally 180 million people are infected with hepatitis C. The increasing rates of hepatitis infections suggest low levels of awareness regarding its causes, prevention, and spread. Initial symptoms of the infection resemble that of the flu. However, a developed case will have symptoms like light-colored stool, dark-yellow-colored urine, jaundiced eyes and skin along with a feeling of nausea, drowsiness and fatigue. Unfortunately there is no vaccine to prevent the infection.

Dr Sethu Babu’s advice, “If you’ve had a surgery or been exposed to any blood products, have a screening done. In fact, since several hospitals may not have it as a part of their preventive medical check-ups; ask for the hepatitis C virus to be screened too. Early detection is important, because today, treatment is readily available to all through oral medication, and is just a three-month course. Medicines are a fraction of the international cost, and have few side effects.” It is possible to cure the disease caused by hepatitis C with simple cost effective oral drugs.