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State Health Department has assured us that there is no need for panic, as the disease is treatable
Gadharona village in Roorkee has become a hotspot for Hepatitis C in the last two months. According to news reports. The Economic Times has reported so far that more than 100 cases of the viral infection, locally known as Kala Pilia have been reported in the village.
Reports say the Uttarakhand State Health Department has also conducted a two-day medical camp in the village, collecting samples from 75 suspected patients, out of which 54 tested positive. However, the health department has assured us that there is no need for panic, as the disease is treatable, and the situation is under control.
Gadharona, with a population of 4,000 near Landaura town, started witnessing cases where many people complained of mild fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Initially, most patients sought treatment from local quacks, but when they did not recover, they visited the local hospitals where the diagnosis was given.
Private hospitals and the Civil Hospital in Roorkee, where they were diagnosed with Hepatitis C. "When we started noticing that every tenth household had similar cases, we informed the health department, which then set up medical camps in the village to check the patients," said Satendra Giri, village head, as quoted by the Economic Times. "I was experiencing extreme fatigue and loss of appetite. When the health department tested me, I was diagnosed with hepatitis C. I was informed that I would need to take medication for three months. Currently, the Civil Hospital is providing me with a week's supply of medicine," a village resident told ET.
According to the records available at the Roorkee Civil Hospital, 450 cases of Kala Pilia are registered between November and January from Roorkee and its surroundings.
What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes severe inflammation that damages your liver. The infection spreads if you have exposure to the hepatitis C virus after contact with blood that carries the virus. Hepatitis C can cause acute or chronic infections:
Acute hepatitis C
It is a short-term infection wh does not usually cause symptoms. If it does, it may take up to six months for your body to fight off the infection and make the virus go away.
Chronic or long-term hepatitis C
It happens when your body is not able to fight off the infection. You have the virus, but it does not cause any symptoms, or you may have mild ones. About 20-30 per cent of people with chronic hepatitis C develop liver cirrhosis.
How do you get hepatitis C?
According to experts, you get hepatitis C if you have contact with blood from someone who has the virus. Across the world, sharing needles to inject intravenous drugs is the most common way that the virus spreads. But you may have an increased risk for exposure if you have or had:
- A blood transfusion
- Kidney dialysis
- Exposure to blood or infected needles at work
- HIV infection
- Tattoos or body piercings with unsterilized equipment
- Share a razor or toothbrush with someone who has the virus and may bleed on a shared razor or toothbrush
- Have sex with someone who has the virus, especially if that person has HIV
Signs and symptoms of hepatitis C
Doctors say while many people may not have any symptoms, those with acute hepatitis C may feel like they are coming down with flu. They may have the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Body aches
- Dark-coloured pee
- Fatigue
- High fever
- Jaundice
- Joint pains
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion and changes in behaviour
- Excessive bleeding
- Reddish or dark-colored skin on your palms
- Small, spiderlike blood vessels in your skin
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