title: Implications of traditional medicine in the treatment of Hepatitis A in Kerala.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recent outbreaks of Hepatitis A in Kerala are suggestive of decrease in endemicity as most adults were not exposed during the childhood. In allopathic system of medicine, there is no established treatment for Hepatitis A and hence most people tend to rely on the alternate systems of medicine. The study was aimed at identifying the burden of Hepatitis A in the locality and to uncover the degree of dependence of the people on traditional systems of medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study spanned over 7 months and was conducted in Malappuram district of Kerala. A simple questionnaire having closed-ended questions was prepared and circulated among the physicians in the area. Demographic and other relevant details were obtained from the patients and the medicine system relied on was scrutinized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 348 patients enrolled, majority of the patients were between the age of 10-30 years. The study revealed that females were more affected than males. Similarly people in rural areas were greater than those from urban areas. Most patients (73.28%) relied on Ayurvedic treatment after one week of onset of symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preparations such as triphala which has great efficacy in treatment has to be further studied to establish the pathways and mechanism through which it acts. A collaborative effort between government, modern medicine and alternate medicine system can be highly effective in reducing the outbreaks of such epidemics through proper preventive and therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Al Shifa College of Pharmacy, Poonthavanam, Kizhattur P.O, Perinthalmanna 679325, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Abin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chandrakumar
authors.affiliation: Mannam Ayurveda Co-operative Medical College, Pathanamthitta, Pandalam 689501, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Abin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Al Shifa College of Pharmacy, Poonthavanam, Kizhattur P.O, Perinthalmanna 679325, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Augustine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Al Shifa College of Pharmacy, Poonthavanam, Kizhattur P.O, Perinthalmanna 679325, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Anas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manakkadiyil
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Al Shifa College of Pharmacy, Poonthavanam, Kizhattur P.O, Perinthalmanna 679325, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Anupama
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reghu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Al Shifa College of Pharmacy, Poonthavanam, Kizhattur P.O, Perinthalmanna 679325, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Levin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomas
keywords: Ayurveda; Hepatitis A; Homeopathy; Kerala; Traditional medicine