Recent estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have indicated that less than 10% of those infected with viral hepatitis are aware of this potentially life-threatening condition. Such lack of awareness and treatment can cause progressive liver damage and life-threatening conditions such as fibrosis and liver cancer. This can further result in about 4.1 lakh deaths in the country every year.
Viral hepatitis remains a major public health challenge in India with intermediate to high endemicity of hepatitis B. The hepatitis B virus infection is a big cause of viral hepatitis and about 3% to 5% of the Indian population is a carrier of the infection. The most common route of transmission in India is from mother to child. Some tips from Heart Care Foundation of India