World Liver Day: Spotlight on Fatty Liver Disease and Viral Hepatitis in India

Your liver may silently cry for help, and you might not even know it. This is because conditions like fatty liver and hepatitis often show no symptoms until severe damage is done, and this is why they are also known as silent killers.

“Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is now the most common liver problem seen in clinical practice, yet very few people know about it,” said Dr. G. Srinivasa Reddy, Consultant Hepatologist, Star Hospitals. “It’s no longer a disease of alcohol users—fatty liver is increasingly being detected in people with no alcohol history at all,” he said.

On World Liver Day, Dr. Reddy called for urgent awareness around these two silent but growing threats to liver health: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and viral hepatitis.

NAFLD: The Silent Liver Epidemic

NAFLD refers to a spectrum of liver diseases in people who consume little to no alcohol. It ranges from simple fat accumulation in the liver (steatosis) to the more serious form called NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis), which can progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis.

“When fat makes up more than 5% of your liver’s weight, it becomes steatosis,” Dr. Reddy explained. “If left unchecked, this fat can trigger inflammation, scarring, and irreversible liver damage.”

What makes NAFLD especially dangerous is that it's often silent—many people don’t show symptoms until the liver is significantly damaged. The disease is considered the liver manifestation of Metabolic Syndrome (MS), and is strongly associated with obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. However, Dr. Reddy warned of a lesser-known variant: “There’s also something called Lean NASH. Even people with a BMI under 25—especially Asians with specific genetic markers—can have fatty liver disease.”

In India, NAFLD affects nearly 35% of the population. Among individuals with diabetes, the prevalence soars to 88%. Dr. Reddy pointed out that 90% of NAFLD patients have at least one component of Metabolic Syndrome, while 30% have all components. Even lean individuals are not spared, with prevalence rates ranging from 7–20%.

Preventing Fatty Liver Disease

The good news? NAFLD is often reversible, especially in its early stages.

Dr. Reddy’s tips to prevent fatty liver:

- Maintain a healthy weight  

- Exercise regularly  

- Lose weight gradually if overweight or obese  

- Limit alcohol consumption  

- Take medications as prescribed  

- Get regular liver checkups with a hepatologist  

Viral Hepatitis: A Global and National Concern

Alongside NAFLD, viral hepatitis continues to be a major public health crisis. According to WHO’s latest data, hepatitis-related deaths increased from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022. Of these, 83% were due to Hepatitis B and 17% to Hepatitis C. An alarming 3,500 people die daily from these infections.

More than 254 million people live with Hepatitis B and 50 million with Hepatitis C globally. A significant portion of this burden lies among people aged 30–54 years, while 12% are children under 18. Men account for 58% of all cases.

In 2022 alone, there were 2.2 million new hepatitis infections, including 1.2 million Hepatitis B and nearly 1 million Hepatitis C cases.

Dr. Reddy added that Hepatitis A and E, though less common, can be severe. “HEV [Hepatitis E Virus] is particularly dangerous in pregnancy, and its mortality rate is higher than HAV [Hepatitis A Virus],” he said.

Preventing Viral Hepatitis

Dr. Reddy’s prevention checklist:

- Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B  

- Avoid sharing sharp objects like razors and needles  

- Avoid consuming contaminated food and water  

- Practice safe sex  

- Adhere to prescribed medications  

- Undergo regular liver health screenings  

The Bottom Line

“Liver diseases don’t always come with warning signs,” Dr. Reddy emphasized. “That’s why prevention, early detection, and lifestyle changes are critical. On World Liver Day, let’s take a pledge to protect our livers—because a healthy liver means a healthier life.”

For those experiencing symptoms like fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or jaundice, consult a hepatologist immediately. Regular screening can save lives.

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