Amitabh Bachchan’s Hepatitis B Journey Offers Powerful Lessons In Health And Resilience

Amitabh Bachchan's long career and continued professional activity at 83 have often been accompanied by discussions about his health and fitness. Years ago, the actor revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati that he contracted Hepatitis B following a blood transfusion after his near-fatal accident on the sets of Coolie in 1982. Bachchan later revealed that the infection was detected during a routine medical examination in 2005 and that significant damage had been caused to his liver.

Bachchan's experience has also raised questions about whether people living with chronic liver disease can remain physically active. Doctors note that exercise can have an important role in supporting overall health, but being physically fit does not necessarily indicate that the liver is healthy. Hepatitis B can remain without obvious symptoms for years while liver damage progresses, making regular medical evaluation particularly important for people with chronic infection.

Dr Mahendra Singh Rajput, Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, explained that advanced chronic liver disease can contribute to sarcopenia, which involves the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. Carefully planned physical activity may therefore help preserve mobility, muscle strength and physical function in appropriate patients. However, exercise programmes should be suited to an individual's medical condition, and intense workouts should not be undertaken without appropriate medical guidance.

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A 2026 meta-analysis published in Frontiers examined studies involving people with cirrhosis and sarcopenia and found improvements in several measures of physical function among those participating in exercise programmes. These included walking ability, muscle strength and quality of life. The findings support the role of appropriately supervised physical activity as part of supportive care, but they do not mean exercise can reverse serious liver disease or replace medical treatment.

Dr Ramesh Garg, Senior Director and HOD of Gastroenterology at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, stressed the importance of long-term monitoring for people living with Hepatitis B. Depending on the individual's condition, doctors may monitor liver enzymes, viral load and the extent of liver damage, while antiviral medicines may be prescribed when clinically appropriate. Patients should also avoid unnecessary medicines, supplements or other substances that could potentially harm the liver unless they have been discussed with a doctor.

A healthy lifestyle can complement medical care, particularly when conditions such as obesity, diabetes or fatty liver disease are also present. Hepatitis B can increase the risk of complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer, making appropriate surveillance important when recommended by a doctor. Vaccination is also an effective way to prevent Hepatitis B infection. Bachchan's story ultimately offers a broader lesson: living with a chronic illness or advancing age does not necessarily mean giving up an active life, but fitness should never be treated as a substitute for regular medical care, appropriate treatment and long-term liver monitoring.

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