Author: Dr. Girish Gupta, Dr. Dileep Kumar Pandey
Address for Correspondence:
Gaurang Clinic & Centre for Homoeopathic research
B-1/41, Sector-A, Near Novelty Cinema (Aliganj)
Kapoorthala, Aliganj, Lucknow-24, UP, INDIA
Phone: 2326464, 4004370
E-mail: girishguptadr@gmail.com
Introduction
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by a double stranded DNA virus, [1]called Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). It may appear as an acute or chronic infection of liver. Acute infection is marked by jaundice, nausea, vomiting, diminished appetite, weakness, joint pain and skin rashes etc. associated with marked elevation of liver enzymes in blood. Acute Liver failure occur in less than 1% of cases. [2] Chronic infection is often asymptomatic. Its late complications are Liver Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension. It may also lead to Hepato-cellular Carcinoma.
Background
Hepatitis B virus was discovered by Dr. Brauch Samuel Blumberg in 1965[3]. He was awarded noble prize for this discovery in 1976.Hepatitis B is highly infectious disease. About one third of the world population has been infected at one point in their lives, including 350 million who have chronic infections. Over 750,000 people die of hepatitis B each year. About 300,000 of these are due to liver cancer. About 80% of all liver cancer are the complication of Hepatitis B &C [4]. Its prevalence is high in North America, Africa and East Asia where about 5 to 10% of adults have chronic infection [5].
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a major health hazard around the globe because of its highly infectious nature. No alarming sign and symptoms in early stage of chronic infection are exhibited but lethal damage to the liver takes place in advance stage. The worst part is the non-availability of curative treatment in any system of medicine. The above fact makes a common belief in society that Hepatitis B is an incurable disease. There are certain claims by homoeopathic physicians having treated cases of Hepatitis B. These are, however, neither documented on scientific parameters nor published in journals. To explore the possibility of efficacy of Homoeopathic medicines, a few patients suffering from Hepatitis B have been enrolled in Gaurang Clinic & Centre for Homoeopathic research, Lucknow for treatment and assessment on modern parameters. The initial results are encouraging as the patients are not only clinically benefitted but have also shown reduction in Viral load. Some have even become seronegative.