Among 175 million victims of HCV, 12.5 million are Indians, making it a major threat for the coutntry

Its asymptomatic nature makes it a killer in disguise and high number of victims, makes Hepatitis C (HCV) the deadliest virus. Talking about India, the figures have revealed that almost 12.5 million people are affected from HCV across the country; in another words, every 15th carrier of HCV is an Indian. However, on positive note, timely treatment may help in complete eradication of the virus.

“Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects as many as 175 million people across the world. It can become life threatening if it remains undetected for long,” says Dr Parimal Lawate, gastroenterologist at Jehangir Hospital.

Worldwide, an estimated three to four million people are infected with the virus each year. In India alone, the death rates of Hepatitis C patients exceed over a hundred thousand per year. HCV kills people four times more than HIV every year (WHO estimate).

What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by various viruses. Over the time, hepatitis seriously damages the liver and can eventually lead to liver cancer, the need for liver transplantation or even death. HCV accounts for one-fourth of all cases of chronic liver disease in India.

There are at least six different strains of the hepatitis virus, including hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis B and C are considered the most serious strains and affect the greatest number of people.

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