Himalaya Healthcare Newsletter

Dear Customer,

What is the most deadly disease in the world? Most people would reply HIV/AIDS. But, did you know that Hepatitis B is 50 to a 100 times more infectious than HIV? According to World Health Organization (WHO), Hepatitis B virus infection is a critical global health concern. The facts outline the severity of the condition: 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with Hepatitis B infection. 350 million people globally are living with chronic infections. 500,000 to 700,000 people die every year from Hepatitis B infection. Source: WHO Destination India India is one of the top 'at risk' countries, according to WHO. Based on the prevalence of HBV carrier state in the general population, countries are classified as having high (8% or more), intermediate (2 to 7%), or low (less than 2%) Hepatitis B endemicity. India has intermediate endemicity of Hepatitis B, with Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence between 2% and 10% among populations studied. In India: 40 million people are infected with the Hepatitis B virus infections. More than 100,000 people die every year from the disease. This accounts more approximately 1/6 th of the worldwide deaths from Hepatitis B. In India, of the infants born every year, one million run the risk of developing chronic Hepatitis B infection. Source: WHO   What is Hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. The virus can survive outside the body for at least seven days and symptoms may not show up for several months. The risk of contracting the virus is higher if a person: Has had intercourse with someone who is infected with Hepatitis B virus or any other sexually transmitted disease. Has multiple sexual partners. Shares syringes and needles with others, like drug users. It is estimated that a significant percentage of new Hepatitis B infections are from intravenous drug use. Requiring blood transfusion on a regular basis for conditions like hemophilia. Has contracted the virus at birth from the mother, which is known as vertical or perinatal transmission. The Future is Prevention There are ways to prevent contracting the virus. Here are a few guidelines that can help: Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Practice safe sex. Refrain from intravenous drug use Ensure that only sterilized needles are used during blood transmission. Go for regular check-ups. Treatments Available While vaccinating yourself against the disease is your best bet, the good news is that there are available treatments for the condition. A six-month course of combinations of antivirals, immunoglobins and interferons are prescribed for Hepatitis B, which cost anywhere between Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The efficacy rate of allopathic medication is reported be at 30%. However, patients are often unable to complete the course, due to the side effects, which include kidney disorders, white blood cells, red blood cells and platelet reduction and depression. Herbs for Hepatitis B Today, people are seeking herbal remedies for the treatment of both chronic and lifestyle disorders. Ayurveda, India's oldest form of traditional medicinal system, states that herbal compositions can offer a holistic treatment for any given condition. Drawing from Ayurveda, Himalaya has developed a phytopharmaceutical drug for the management of Hepatitis B. Liv.52 HB, containing the herbs Nut Grass and Umbrella's Edge, is an US patent pending formulation that is backed by clinical trials in leading hospitals. Studies on the drug have been published in internal journals like Antiviral Research and World Journal of Gastroenterology. While the efficacy rate is comparable to available treatments, the drug comes at a fraction of the price. A six-month course is priced at Rs 4,680. *Please consult your doctor for a dose that best suits your condition

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