Hepatitis A and E cases spike in Delhi: A doctor’s guide to staying safe

“Hepatitis A has increased over pre-monsoon levels… Most patients that we see have acute hepatitis related to food and water… For recovery, bed rest and a good normal diet is most important. There are no dietary restrictions. You can eat ghee, paneer, haldi etc — everything should be hygienic,” he said.

Dr Khanna shares a few dos and don’ts to protect oneself from the infection.

Who does it affect the most?

Hepatitis A and E are waterborne infections, and tend to affect certain groups more than others — those living in poor sanitary conditions are at risk and need the most protection.

People with weak immune systems or pre-existing liver conditions are also at higher risk.

In some parts of the world, older adults, homeless individuals, and those with poor access to healthcare are commonly affected. This is often due to exposure to unsafe water, lack of sanitation, and poor nutrition. Areas with crowded living conditions or poor drainage systems also report more cases.

Hepatitis E is especially dangerous for pregnant women — it can lead to serious complications and can even be life-threatening for both the mother and baby.

How can we prevent it?

By eating healthy food and drinking clean water.

Boiling water before drinking it is a simple and effective method.

One should also avoid eating street food or food that looks poorly cooked or unhygienic, especially during the monsoon or in hot weather when food can spoil more easily.

Washing your hands regularly with soap, especially before eating and after using the toilet, helps stop the spread of the virus.

Keeping your surroundings clean, properly managing garbage and sewage, and covering open drains are also important steps.

Vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and can offer protection, especially for young children and people at high risk.

Education also plays a big role — when people know how the disease spreads, they can take action to stop it. Clean habits can go a long way in preventing infection.

What is the treatment for Hepatitis A and E?

There is no specific medicine to cure Hepatitis A or E. Most people recover on their own with rest, good nutrition, and by staying well-hydrated.

The main treatment is supportive care — this means managing symptoms like fever, fatigue, and vomiting.

Patients are advised to avoid oily and spicy food and to drink lots of clean fluids like water, coconut water, or clear soups.

It’s also important to avoid alcohol and unnecessary medication that may stress the liver. In most cases, people recover completely in a few weeks. However, in severe cases, especially in pregnant women with Hepatitis E, hospital care may be needed. Doctors may keep a close watch to prevent liver failure or other complications.

For rare chronic Hepatitis E cases in people with weak immune systems, special anti-viral drugs may be used.

Are hepatitis cases increasing over the years? If so, why?

Yes, Hepatitis A and E cases are rising in many places over the past few years.\

In Kerala, there were over 6,000 Hepatitis A cases in 2024, compared to just over 1,000 in 2023. Similar increases have been seen in cities like Delhi, Patna, and Ahmedabad.

In Europe, countries like Austria and Spain also reported large outbreaks recently.

The main reasons behind this rise are poor sanitation, contaminated water, and a lack of awareness.

As cities grow and sanitation systems struggle to keep pace, the risk of Hepatitis A and E spreading continues to rise unless preventive steps are taken seriously.

According to WHO, in India, as per latest estimates, 40 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis B and 6 to 12 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis E is the most important cause of epidemic hepatitis, though Hepatitis A is more common among children. Most acute liver failures diagnosed are attributable to Hepatitis E.