WHAT IS HEPATITIS?

What is hepatitis?

Q: What is hepatitis?

A: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.

There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

TYPES OF HEPATITIS

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is caused by an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is most commonly transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by feces from a person infected with hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, containing the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Injection drug use, having sex with an infected partner, or

THE PREVENTABILITY OF VIRAL HEPATITIS

Rotimi Adesanya is an Expert on Hepatitis. He shares his opinion on how preventable is viral Hepatitis B

According to him, a visitor to his blog asked him,

“I am 35 years; I just found out I have hepatitis B virus. I never used drugs and I don’t drink. I’m so afraid right now, and I can’t stop crying. I don’t have a clue as to how I contracted it. The different tests listed by my doctor scare me. Dear doctor, kindly advise me’’.

My response as an expert goes to everyone that has tested positive to hepatitis B or C virus. They should be optimistic, as some people have been able to flush out the virus from their system within six months.

TWO MILLION NIGERIANS LIVING WITH HEPATITIS

By Dr. Tony Phillips
The national president, Guild of Medical Directors, Dr. Tony Phillips has disclosed that about two million Nigerians are living with hepatitis.
To this end, he said that the guild would hold its 24th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference on Eradication of Hepatitis in Abuja today with the theme, “Lets make Nigeria Hepatitis Free”.
He confirmed that there would be free screening, counseling and possible referral for treatment on hepatitis with the latest technology to be deployed by MEDICAID and Firmcare Diagnostics.

MY ENCOUNTER AND VICTORY OVER HEPATITIS B

BY EDE O. GREG
It all started sometimes in 2011 at Federal Housing, Lugbe, Abuja. I was diagnosed with the deadly disease called Hepatitis B. What a name! In fact, that was my first time of hearing the name.The Lab attendant at FHA scared the poo out of me when she told me that it kills faster than AIDS! I did quick research on the name and was alarmed that this was a very dangerous disease! I was still a single guy then. I quickly traveled back my memory lane and scanned through those 'unholy movements' we unmarried guys usually make, and concluded that this must be the judgement of the gods on my head! But I was assured by the same Nurse that it could be contacted through many means and not necessarily  sexual intercourse.