AIIMS warns against consuming tainted food, water as Hepatitis A cases rise

Doctors at AIIMS-Delhi have cautioned people against consuming contaminated food and water, the prime cause of Hepatitis A, cases of which have seen a rise in the national capital in the past few weeks. The hospital is seeing an increase in the number of Hepatitis A cases, with the majority of the patients being children and those in the age group of 18-25, Dr Shalimar, professor at Department of Gastroenterology, AIIMS said at a press conference. Hepatitis A and E, both of which are mainly transmitted through drinking water contaminated with faecal matter, are self-limiting infections and do not require any specific anti-viral drugs for treatment and are managed symptomatically, said Dr Pramod Garg, head of the Department of Gastroenterology. "The spread of Hepatitis A and E can be largely prevented by ensuring access to safe and clean drinking water, safe food handling practices and by maintaining good hygiene," he said. A study conducted by the Department of Gastroenterology, AI