Ielu pārtikas patēriņš, kas izraisa A hepatīta gadījumus Hyderabad jauniešu vidū, brīdināja ārsti

From evening cravings to weekend outings, street food is a ritual of indulgence, especially for the young. But behind the burst of flavor lies an often-overlooked risk: the quality of the water used, the hygiene of the ingredients, and the source from which they are sourced.

Doctors warn that even seemingly safe snacks can transmit serious infections, such as hepatitis A, if prepared or stored in unsanitary conditions. Hepatitis A is a short-term liver infection caused by a virus that spreads through contaminated food, water or close personal contact.

In a recent case, doctors at Aster Prime Hospital treated a 22-year-old software professional who developed acute hepatitis A after consuming Panipuri from a roadside vendor. The patient was admitted with jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and dark urine. Tests revealed elevated liver enzymes and confirmed anti-HAV IgM antibodies.

Asteras Consultant Gastroenterologist Kaluvala Harsha Theja noted that while hepatitis A usually resolves on its own in young adults, it can cause significant suffering if left untreated.

Kiran Madala, a professor at Gandhi Medical College, explained that unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A rarely progresses to chronic infection or cancer. “It is largely an immune-mediated disease that affects the intestines more than the liver,” he said. Given the city’s poor sanitation system and contaminated water sources, he added, the risk of hepatitis A is particularly high at this time. While there is no specific curative treatment, preventive measures such as avoiding street food and drinking boiled water are crucial.

Supporting the concerns, Krupan Kumar, consultant physician at Apollo Hospital, noted that most of the cases he comes across are among people below the age of 30. “Young people are more attracted to roadside food and this age group carries the highest burden of hepatitis A,” he said.