New Delhi: Hepatitis is a serious liver disease that often progresses silently without any obvious symptoms in its early stages, which is why it is commonly referred to as a “silent disease.” If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Experts emphasise that greater awareness, regular screening, timely vaccination, and early treatment can prevent and effectively control most cases of hepatitis. On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, specialists from Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Model Town, urged people to stay vigilant about their liver health and undergo timely screening, especially if they are at risk.
Dr. Apurva Pande, Additional Director & HOD, Gastroenterology & Hepatology Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Model Town New Delhi said, “Hepatitis continues to be a major public health concern because it often progresses silently, with patients showing few or no symptoms until significant liver damage has already occurred. In our OPD, we see approximately 100–150 hepatitis patients every month, and the number of diagnosed cases has increased over the years, largely due to improved awareness and wider screening. Early symptoms such as persistent fatigue, muscle pain, unexplained weight loss, and later jaundice are often overlooked. Hepatitis B spreads through infected blood, unprotected sexual contact, contaminated needles, and mother-to-child transmission, while Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. The good news is that Hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination, and Hepatitis C is now curable in more than 95% of cases with timely treatment. Early screening, prompt medical care, and safe lifestyle practices are the most effective ways to prevent serious complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Jagdish, Director – Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Interventional Endoscopy, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida Extension, said, “Hepatitis continues to be a significant public health challenge because its symptoms often do not appear in the early stages, and many patients remain unaware of the disease until substantial liver damage has already occurred. We see approximately 15–20 hepatitis patients every month in our OPD. Timely vaccination, regular screening, and early treatment can effectively prevent serious complications such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. Maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, keeping a healthy body weight, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and following safe medical practices are essential for protecting liver health. Individuals with diabetes, obesity, or a family history of liver disease should undergo regular liver health check-ups to ensure early detection and timely intervention.”
Dr. Alok Dubey, Consultant – Robotic & Laparoscopic GI Surgery and Liver Transplant, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida 110, said, “Hepatitis is often referred to as a ‘silent killer’ because its symptoms are usually absent or very mild in the early stages. By the time patients experience signs such as weakness, loss of appetite, jaundice, dark-coloured urine, or abdominal swelling, the liver may already have suffered significant damage. At present, cases of Hepatitis A and E are increasingly being reported among children and young adults, primarily due to contaminated food and unsafe drinking water. Hepatitis B also continues to be a major concern and spreads through infected blood, contaminated needles, unprotected sexual contact, and from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. Timely screening, Hepatitis B vaccination, safe food and drinking water, and good personal hygiene remain the most effective measures to prevent hepatitis. People should never ignore suspicious symptoms and should seek immediate medical consultation to ensure early diagnosis and timely treatment.”
The hospital’s experts urged people to increase awareness about hepatitis, get vaccinated on time, undergo regular health check-ups, and adopt a healthy lifestyle, as these are the most effective ways to prevent the disease. They emphasised that early detection and timely treatment can protect the liver and significantly reduce the risk of serious complications.