Chandigarh, July 29 -- On the occasion of world hepatitis day, the department of hepatology of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on Monday organised a viral hepatitis screening and information camp at the liver clinic in the OPD. Accompanying attendants of the patients were encouraged to participate in the screening and were provided information about viral hepatitis and its importance, the routes of spread and methods of prevention. Officials said that the activity will continue throughout the week. World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, a group of diseases that can severely damage our liver. This year's theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's break it down' is to understand the silent threat, remove barriers to care including misinformation, and work together towards a hepatitis-free future. Dr Madhumita Premkumar of hepatology department at PGIMER highlighted that according to an observation, the last few years saw an increase in numbers and severity of hepatitis A virus infection. "Almost half of the acute liver failure patients, admitted in the Liver ICU in the last two years, have been due to Hepatitis A, a serious cause for concern," she added. Dr Nipun Verma, of the department of hepatology, said, "Hepatitis A has also been presenting typically with prolonged jaundice and itching which may require steroids and even plasma exchange (a form of blood filtration)." Ajay Duseja, head of hepatology department said that around 800-1000 patients with chronic viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) are seen each year at the outpatient liver clinic at PGIMER. "All of these patients are referred from various parts of the country," he added. While highlighting how neighbouring states, particularly Punjab, is a high burden state for Hepatitis C possibly due to intravenous drug abuse, Dr Sunil Taneja of hepatology department, said, "Punjab has been at the forefront of the fight against Hepatitis C and its approach of decentralising diagnosis and treatment using a hub and spoke ECHO model has been replicated not only nationally but has garnered much international attention." Hepatitis B and C are silent killers that surreptitiously damage the liver over many years, leading to serious conditions like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), end-stage liver disease and even liver cancer....