Call
+918447748545

Published on: Oct 28, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan ( Medical Second Opinion Cell)

Hepatitis C Nobel Prize

Earlier this month the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was jointly awarded to Harvey J Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M Rice for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. This helped push our understanding of blood-borne hepatitis, a major global health problem that is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer alongside Hepatitis B. It led the way in introducing new tests for chronic hepatitis as well as new treatments that have saved the lives of millions.

HEPATITIS

Hepatitis is the inflammation of your liver, the largest solid organ in your body. Though there are numerous other causes of hepatitis, including alcohol abuse, drugs and toxins (including paracetamol overdose), and autoimmune disorders (such as Wilson’s disease), viral infections are the most common worldwide causes for hepatitis. Hepatitis A was the first to be discovered, transmitted by polluted food and water, and results in a short-term transient hepatitis. Hepatitis B on the other hand is transmitted through blood and is more of an issue as it can lead to chronic cirrhosis and possible liver cancer. It can remain indolent in a person, causing disease long after the initial infection.

Blood borne hepatitis was first discovered in the 1960s, when it was found that some patients would become ill after receiving blood transfusions. Despite this discovery and new tests for Hepatitis B reducing the number of transfusion related hepatitis, a large number of cases remained.

NOT A, NOT B

Harvey Alter, working at the US National Institute of Health, was studying the occurrence of hepatitis in blood transfusion patients. His team showed that blood from these infected patients could transmit the disease to chimpanzees, resulting in hepatitis. This agent had the properties of a virus, one that was “non-A, non B” hepatitis.

Further investigation into the virus would require the input of Michael Houghton, working for Chiron pharmaceutical. His team created a collection of DNA fragments found in the blood of infected chimpanzees. Though the majority of these fragments were from the chimpanzee, enough were from the virus. They were able to utilise this information to identify antibodies against the suspected virus, and ultimately identify it as the flavivirus Hepatitis C.

The final piece of the puzzle was shown by Charles M Rice, a researcher at Washington University, St Louis – could the virus alone cause hepatitis. He studied the RNA of Hepatitis C to identify regions that may be used for replication, and areas that might hinder replication. This was key as the virus can lay dormant for years, replicating at a slow rate before causing damage to the liver. For researchers, this was an issue as it was not feasible to wait years and see if the suspected virus caused hepatitis. By genetically engineering the viral genome, he developed a variant of Hepatitis C that would only multiple rapidly and have no mechanism to inactivate itself for dormancy. This strain caused rapid changes to the livers of infected chimpanzees; the same changes seen in hepatitis patients.

. ;.,hrvxzThe impact was significant. Prior to this, receiving a blood transfusion was like Russian Roulette. You were receiving life saving therapy, but it coZuld also be a hidden death sentence. Now that hepatitis had been discovered, it became possible to screen patients prior to donation, to screen blood transfusion bags, and to start developing treatments for the virus.

The fight is not over yet. There are still over 70 million people who still live with the virus, and it still kills around 400,000 a year. Its only very recently that we have found treatments that can reduce the viral load in patients to levels that they are considered cured. This treatment remains expensive, and we are very far away from eradication itself.

Read Blog

Women’s Digital Health India: How SecondMedic Is Empowering Women Through Technology and Preventive Care

Healthcare is entering a new era - and women are at its forefront.
From reproductive care to mental wellness, digital healthcare platforms are giving women the freedom to manage their health on their terms.

Leading this revolution in India is SecondMedic, a platform that combines AI, telemedicine, and preventive health analytics to redefine women’s digital healthcare.

Why Women’s Digital Health Matters in India

Women’s health in India has long been underserved - especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
Limited access to specialists, lack of awareness, and cultural barriers have often delayed care.

According to NITI Aayog (2024), only 37% of Indian women receive timely preventive health screenings, while mental health and reproductive issues remain underdiagnosed.

Digital health platforms like SecondMedic are closing these gaps by providing affordable, private, and continuous care through mobile apps and teleconsultations.

How SecondMedic Is Revolutionizing Women’s Digital Health

1. Reproductive and Fertility Care

AI-based menstrual and fertility tracking helps women monitor cycles, predict ovulation, and understand hormonal health.
SecondMedic’s digital gynecology consultations provide expert guidance on PCOS, endometriosis, pregnancy planning, and menopause - all from home.

2. Mental and Emotional Wellness

SecondMedic integrates mental wellness tools designed specifically for women.
Users can access AI-guided stress tracking, therapy sessions, and mindfulness programs addressing anxiety, postpartum depression, and work-life balance.

3. Preventive Health Screenings

With AI analytics and digital diagnostics, the platform identifies early signs of diseases like thyroid imbalance, anemia, diabetes, and heart risk, providing actionable insights for timely intervention.

4. Virtual Gynecology & Nutrition Support

Women can consult gynecologists, dietitians, and endocrinologists through secure video sessions. Personalized nutrition and lifestyle guidance enhance hormonal balance and reproductive health.

5. Maternal & Postnatal Care

Digital prenatal monitoring ensures safer pregnancies through scheduled check-ins, symptom logs, and remote fetal health updates.
Postpartum mothers can access lactation and emotional support digitally - ensuring continuity of care.

Technology Behind the Platform

SecondMedic’s digital health ecosystem combines:

AI Predictive Models - Detect risk patterns early through data analytics.
Blockchain Data Security - Protect sensitive women’s health data from unauthorized access.
ABDM Integration - Seamless interoperability with India’s national digital health framework.
Multilingual Interface - Accessibility for women across urban and rural India.

This combination ensures care that is smart, inclusive, and secure.

Women’s Digital Health: Market Growth in India

The women’s digital healthcare market is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India.
According to IMARC Group (2025), the market is projected to surpass USD 1.2 billion by 2028, fueled by smartphone adoption, telemedicine expansion, and the rise of AI in healthcare.

Government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and National Health Policy 2024 are encouraging digital innovation in women’s preventive and reproductive health.

Breaking Barriers: Rural Women and Digital Access

India’s rural women are now accessing digital healthcare like never before.
With the spread of BharatNet broadband and affordable smartphones, SecondMedic has expanded its reach through rural telehealth kiosks and community wellness partnerships.

This ensures that women in remote villages can connect with gynecologists and mental health counselors - without travel or stigma.

Benefits of Women’s Digital Health with SecondMedic

Personalized Health Insights - AI understands each woman’s unique health profile.
Accessible Expert Care - Online specialists across gynecology, mental health, and fitness.
Privacy & Comfort - Confidential, home-based consultations.
Preventive Health Tracking - Detect risks early through smart dashboards.
Empowerment Through Education - Digital content on reproductive and emotional wellness.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite rapid growth, challenges include digital literacy, affordability, and cultural hesitation.
However, SecondMedic’s women-centric design - multilingual support, secure data handling, and doctor-led education - is overcoming these barriers effectively.

The opportunity ahead is massive:
By 2030, one in three healthcare interactions in India will be digital, and women’s health will drive much of that growth.

The Future: AI and Women’s Preventive Health

AI’s role in women’s health will continue to expand.
From predicting gestational diabetes to monitoring hormone cycles, AI empowers women to take control of their health before symptoms even appear.

SecondMedic is working toward AI-based preventive health passports - digital profiles that track reproductive, mental, and physical well-being across all life stages.

Conclusion

Women’s health is the cornerstone of a healthy nation.
Through its digital ecosystem, SecondMedic is ensuring that every woman - from cities to villages - has access to personalized, preventive, and compassionate care.

Technology may power it, but empathy drives it.
Together, they’re redefining women’s wellness for a new digital era.

Experience women’s digital healthcare with www.secondmedic.com

References

NITI Aayog - National Health Policy Report 2024
IMARC Group - Women’s Digital Health Market India 2025-2028
ABDM - Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission - https://abdm.gov.in
FICCI-EY - Women’s Health and Tech Report India 2024

Statista - Digital Healthcare Adoption by Women in India 2025

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.