Antivirals, Immunoglobins and Interferons are the current treatment options available to treat the hepatitis. But with new causes of hepatitis driven by obesity, tattoo piercing drugs and alcohol consumption, the disease is now becoming a challenge to treat. Liver specialists and researchers globally are working on new treatment options including a combination drug that would ensure complete eradication of the deadly hepatitis virus.

According to World Health Organization, India accounts for over 40 million (4 crore) patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

“The desired objective of antiviral therapy for hepatitis B&C is permanent removal of the virus from the body. However, present medications are largely suppressive, with a high risk of relapse on discontinuation and therefore life long treatment is recommended. Future medications are aimed at complete eradication of virus. There are several drugs that are under study especially combination therapy, Dr Naresh Bhat, consultant hepatologist & gastroenterologist with Colombia Asia and St. Philomenas Hospital told Pharmabiz.

Obesity related hepatitis is fast becoming the most common cause of liver disease across races, genders and age groups. Prevalence of obesity associated liver disease is over 93 per cent in morbidly obese and around 60 per cent in diabetics. Incidence of hepatitis B varies worldwide, highest in southeast Asia over 8 per cent. In India, prevalence varies from 2-7 per cent, making it an intermediate endemic zone. Hepatitis C is less common, its worldwide prevalence 1.6 per cent.

For obesity related liver disease, weight reduction and exercise are recommended. Advanced liver disease cases are referred for liver transplantation. Therefore prevention is better than therapy. Some drugs for cancer, TB and HIV could also cause hepatitis, and closely monitoring is ensured. Among the leading healthcare institutions which offer care and therapy for liver diseases including hepatitis are PGIMER, Chandigarh and Delhi-based AIIMS and ILBT. There is definitely a dearth of liver specialists especially in the medical colleges and hospitals in smaller towns, informed Dr Bhat.

The World Hepatitis Day on July 28 was launched in 2007 to annually observe the birthday of Nobel Laureate Prof. Blumberg, discoverer of the hepatitis B. The theme for 2011 is ‘This is hepatitis’ campaign which was also observed last year. In 2008, the campaign slogan was “Am I 12th hepatitis B’ referred to the global statistics, that one in 12 persons suffered the deadly disease.