Basic details about Hepatitis C & Hepatitis E diseases and prevention methods

Hepatitis  C

• Transmission method:Mainly transmitted through blood & blood products.
• Incubation period 6-7 weeks.
• Clinical illness is mild, usually asymatomatic (50%) with a high rate of (more than 50%) chronic hepatitis, which may lead to cirrhosis of liver or liver cancer.
• Diagnosis: Clinical diagnosis established in person with signs & symptoms of acute hepatitis by ruling out acute HAV and HBV infection.  Anti-HAV blood test available but are costly.
• Homoeopathy prevention: Health education to inform general public about risk of transmitting infection with the use of unsterile equipment.

Hepatitis  E

•  Formerly known as Hepatitis non A non B.
• It is self-limiting disease transmitted by water or food contamination by faeces of patients.
• Incubation period: 2-9 weeks
• Agent: hepatitis E virus is the causative agent.
• Host: Mainly young adults, 15-40 years
• Infection during pregnancy is responsible for abortions, intrauterine death & high perinatal morbidity & mortality.
• Environmental factors: Open air defecation, unsafe drinking water & poor personal hygiene are responsible factors.

Homeopathy prevention.

1. Identification of epidemic, identification of source of infection, notification of disease.
2. Ensuring safe water supply, assistance in chlorination of well in a village.
3. Ensure proper sewage disposal.
4. Education of people about food & personal Hygiene.
5. Promote vaccination against Hepatitis B in high risk population groups.