DPS R.K.Puram organised a Guest Speaker Programme for Class IX on 17 August 2015 in which Dr Neelam Mohan,Director, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology& Liver Transplantation, Medanta – The Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon was invited to address the students. In her talk, she highlighted the important functions of the liver in our body, how itcleans the blood, regulates hormones, helps with blood clotting, produces bile and important proteins and maintains blood sugar levels.
She further added that Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. Out of 5 types of hepatitis,Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines. Hepatitis A & E Virus transmission are contracted by close personal contact (e.g., household contact, in child day care centers) or due to contaminated food, water (e.g., infected food handlers, raw shellfish etc).Hepatitis B and C are spread by sharing needles for drugs. tattooing, contaminated needle of dialysis, non-sterile dental procedures and body piercing. Unsafe sex, an infected person’s blood touching someone who has a break on their skin due to shaving razor, nail cutter, nail filers can also be a factor.
She also discussed the myths and truths related to Hepatitis B and C. It does not spread through handshake, hugging, kissing or from the toilet seat. Hepatitis A & E Virus Transmission can be prevented by good hand washing practices , well cooked food ,drinking clean water and vaccines. She cautioned the students to never share medical equipment,needles, syringes, tooth brushes/razors or any personal hygiene articles that have blood on them (even tiny amounts) even high-risk behavior modification is required,always make sure new & sterilized equipment is being used for tattooing, piercing or dental procedure.
Dr.Neelam advised the students to screen all the family members and get them vaccinated, to use gloves when in contact with someone’s blood, to throw things like bloodstained tissues and first aid dressings in rubbish bins where others can’t touch them. To always clean wounds with antiseptic and to insist every time on using disposable needles when taking an injection. The programme was an eye opener and the students learned a lot. It was organized by Ms KusumYadav and Ms Reema Khanna and coordinated by Ms Niva Chhonkar.