KARACHI, Jan 3: Hepatitis is quite common in Pakistan. Effective measures are urgently required so that emphasis could be laid on preventive aspects of this condition.

So said Dr Wasim Jafri of the Aga Khan University at a mass awareness programme that was held on Saturday. The treatment was quite expensive, the outcome of which might not be very rewarding, he added.

Dr Jafri said various viruses could produce hepatitis but it was produced mainly by hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses. "Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through faecal/oral route which means that the virus gets into the system through infected water or food," he said.

Very commonly these viruses were self-limiting but in some cases they could produce severe illnesses, he said. Hepatitis A could be prevented by using a vaccine but most Pakistanis were exposed to it early on in their lives, giving them a life-long immunity.

Dr Jafri added that Hepatitis B, C and D were hepatotropic viruses which resulted in both acute and chronic forms of infections.

Hepatitis B, C and D were transmitted through parenteral routes which meant that infected blood, needles, syringes, dental procedures, tattooing, body piercing and sexual contact might be possible modes of transmission.