Khyber Medical University (KMU) in collaboration with Association of Physicians of Pakistani descent of North America (APPNA) and Islamic Relief (IR-USA) organized Hepatitis C day at Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (IPM&R).
Prof. Dr. Shad Muhammad Director Academics and Admissions KMU was the chief guest while renowned Physician Prof. Dr. Javed Iqbal Farooqi delivered a thought provoking lecture on the issue.
The reason for organizing this day was to spread awareness among people regarding safe blood transfusion, proper medical waste disposal and disinfection of surgical tools while mobilizing masses in the efforts against the spread of Hepatitis C.
While delivering his lecture on transmission, symptoms and prevention of Hepatitis C, Prof. Dr. Javed Iqbal Farooqi said, Hepatitis C was a viral disease which signified swelling of the liver for over six months. Notably, one of the most common causes of chronic hepatitis was viral infection, alcohol, drugs, chemicals, fatty liver and autoimmune disease.
He stated that according to World Hepatitis Alliance, currently, around 500 million people are infected with either chronic Hepatitis B or C and 1 in 3 people have been exposed to one or both viruses.
Hepatitis C is caused by the virus HCV
He claimed that the disease also spreads through contact with an infected person`s blood, semen, or body fluid. Hepatitis C can cause liver damage that can lead to cancer, he added.
