A survey by the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey, NAIIS, estimates that the country’s population of 190 million people has a Hepatitis B prevalence of 8.1 per cent and Hepatitis C,1.1 per cent. This gives an estimated number of about 19 million Nigerians living with Hepatitis B or C.
Also, the Centre for Intelligence and Development discloses that more than 20 million Nigerians are living with viral hepatitis with prevalence rate in Taraba State, between 15 and 19 per cent. With every July 28 being World Hepatitis Day, General Medical Practitioner, Dr Obafemi Kuye speaks to MAYOWA SAMUEL about the virus and how it can be tackled.
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver through the presence of the hepatitis virus. Out of Hepatitis A,B,C, the most prevalent is Hepatitis B. Hepatitis C is more common in fruits, that’s if you eat dirty and unwashed fruits, you can contact it but it’s not as stubborn as Hepatitis B which can take one’s life if it’s not kept in check. The liver is the power house of the body, all structures, input and output pass through the liver. So, when it is destroyed, it means one has destroyed himself.
What are the symptoms? How can one identify that he may have contracted Hepatitis?
There may be pain or no pain on the right flank of the upper abdomen. The liver could be enlarged and it could also shrink. The inflammation of the liver can lead to liver failure. To know if one may have liver failure or not do liver functions test. There is an enzyme that the liver produces, when there is failure, it will be all glitches.
Hepatitis is more transmittable than the deadly HIV/AIDS? How is this?
It is more transmittable, especially through blood contact. All patients are screened for Hepatitis B or C or HIV. Through blood contact, the virus can pass through anybody. Even the instruments we use for them are different from the ones we use for other patients. We don’t mix it together; it’s suicidal to use it.
Who are at risk of contracting this virus?
Those who are at risk are medical personnel, if they don’t protect themselves from direct contact whether from blood, needle or any other sharp object, they can get infected easily.
How about those who are not medical personnel? What are the environmental factors that can lead to them having Hepatitis B?
One just needs thorough cleanliness. It’s always better for one to go for screening before sexual intercourse just like you do for HIV virus, that person can be treated.
Can this virus be treated without going to the doctor?
No, you can’t, not even all doctors can treat themselves. You must go to doctors who know, especially a virologist who are medical personnel, having the degree. There are people who are not doctors but who specialize in virology.
Why do some people who have this virus experience symptoms and why do others don’t?
It depends on one’s lifestyle. If you take what is toxic to the liver, it will manifest quickly but if you are the type that doesn’t drink or smoke, it may not manifest throughout one’s life, even if he has it.
What are these toxic drinks you mentioned that can damage the liver?
Alcohol, “agbo”, that is local concoction. Some of the ingredients in this agbo can affect the liver.
Can a carrier of Hepatitis who doesn’t know he has the virus and has no symptoms infect someone who doesn’t have it?
The carriers of hepatitis are the worst set of people; that is those who have the virus but no symptoms. If you get too much in contact with blood from these people or instrument used on them, one can get infected. Those who have symptoms will not go about, will not socialize because of their sickness but those who don’t exhibit symptoms still move around and infect people who don’t have it at all. Government can do well by providing free checkup while those who are diagnosed can be checked on the spot.
What do you suggest government should do to reduce the prevalence rate of this virus in the country?
Vaccines are available. Government can allow new born babies be vaccinated before they are handed over to their mothers. Government can expand it by lowering the price and letting the vaccines reach maternity homes for children who are born there. With that, the prevalence will reduce.
