KARACHI, April 8: The acute and chronic hepatitis is common in Pakistan and developing countries. This was pointed out in a statement of the Aga Khan University Hospital issued here on Sunday.

Treatment in conditions of end-stage liver disease is very costly and prevention is therefore most important: this is achievable by public awareness, avoiding high risk behaviour, vaccination for hepatitis B and early detection and treatment of the disease, remarked Dr Rustam Khan, consultant Gastroenterologist at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).

He was speaking at a programme held under the Hospital's 'Signs, Symptoms and Care' series. In his presentation, ‘Viral hepatitis A to E’, Dr Khan said that acute and chronic hepatitis were common health problems in developing countries like Pakistan and were caused by the hepatitis virus A, B, C, D and E.

He stressed that prevention was simple, through public awareness and maintaining good hygiene.

Dr Shaikh Qamaruddin Nizami, Consultant Paediatrician and professor of paediatrics at the AKUH in his presentation, ‘Bachhon mein hepatitis’, focused on important information related to treatment protocols in cases of the different types of hepatitis.

He reported that around 4 to 5 per cent of children had hepatitis B or C, and that by adolescence most children have had hepatitis A. As this is a viral illness, no specific treatment is needed, he informed.—APP