By Nneka Nwogwugwu and Bisola Adeyemo
As the world marks World Hepatitis Day, Dr. Ega J. Otorkpa, a Consultant Neurosurgeon has warned Nigerians to avoid practices that could aid the transmission of Hepatitis.
Dr Ega made this statement while chatting with NatureNews correspondent on Tuesday.
He explained that Viral Hepatitis is the Inflammation of the liver caused by Viral infection mainly Hepatitis A, B &C.
His words, “Hepatitis A is transmitted via oral route while B & C are transmitted via blood and other body fluids.
“ Hepatitis B & C are the ones of real medical concerns because of the potential to cause chronic liver diseases as well as liver malignancy.
“Note that no age is excluded from contacting the deathly disease, Hepatitis affects all age”
He, therefore, urged government to explore the necessary ways to curb and manage Hepatitis victims.
“Government can help by improving awareness about the burden of Hepatitis, provide access to testing, vaccination and affordable care for those with Hepatitis,” he added.
World Hepatitis Day is observed every 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer.
This year’s theme is “Hepatitis can’t wait”
In a 2021 message by the President of World Hepatitis Alliances, Dr. Su Wang said, “Throughout my own journey of finding out in college I have hepatitis B. Pursuing my studies to be a physician. Caring for people with hepatitis, Coming out about my own diagnosis and now, speaking out for those living with hepatitis around the world, I continue to be shocked by the lack of action in the fight against hepatitis.
“There are more than 350 million people living with viral hepatitis and one of us dies every 30 seconds as a consequence of hepatitis.
The lack of commitment and financial support from national governments, global donors, development funds, policy makers, research and healthcare institutions tells us that they have accepted these deaths which could’ve been avoided.
“We are being told that our lives aren’t worth saving.
“We can’t wait any longer for action and it’s time for things to change.”
Speaking on the theme of the Day, Wang said that the World Hepatitis Day 2021 must be a catalyst for global action.
“We need to grow the momentum and we must eliminate hepatitis,” She added.
A report from Cleveland clinic also added that Hepatitis A can be spread through food or drinking water carrying the virus through bits of fecal matter from an infected person. (This is called the fecal-oral route.) You can also get hepatitis A from sexual contact.
A person can get hepatitis B in many ways, including: Having sex with an infected person, sharing dirty needles, being in direct contact with infected blood, getting needle stick injuries, being transferred from mother to unborn child, and being in contact with an infected person’s body fluids.
An infected mother has a high chance of giving hepatitis B to her child during or after birth. All pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B. Within 12 hours of birth, infants born to mothers with hepatitis B need to receive treatment with hepatitis B antibody and hepatitis B vaccine. This can prevent transmission of hepatitis B from mother to the baby.
A person can get hepatitis C from sharing dirty needles, being in direct contact with infected blood, getting needle stick injuries and having sex with an infected person (less common).
Blood products are currently tested for hepatitis B and C, so it is not likely that a person will get hepatitis from receiving them.
You can get hepatitis D from being passed from mother to child during childbirth, having contact with infected body fluids or blood and you can only get hepatitis D if you have hepatitis B.
You can get hepatitis E by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the virus (the fecal-oral route). You can also be infected from under-cooked foods like pork, venison, or shellfish.
