A hepatitis B screening camp was organised at Dr. Kutikuppala Surya Rao Hospital on Sunday.
Of 250 who turned up at the camp, 15 were tested positive. “The incidence of the ailment is very high. In the event of a scientific study, the city must be having 50 to 60,000 people suffering from hepatitis B,” Dr. Surya Rao, a physician, said. World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28.
Calling for awareness, he said in India when there were symptoms of jaundice, the patients opt for leafy paste treatment, powders or burning wrist area with a red hot coin without consulting a qualified doctor.
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“Many are dying due to preventable jaundice. A proper diagnosis and treatment can prevent several patients from dying,” he said.
Stating that it was not a disease, he said hepatitis could be acute inflammation of the liver that lasts less than six months or chronic inflammation of the liver that lasts more than six months.