There are happenings that get difficult to erase from the memory no matter how hard one tries. Some of these relate to events that concern human suffering.
Over twenty five years ago, a middle aged man was brought into the Emergency Unit of the hospital where I worked. The family members were unaware of the enormity of the problem. I held a social relationship with them that was reinforced by trust. All they wanted was for their father to get well. His illiterate wife did not understand all the grammar the Health workers spoke but she trusted the doctors.
The man had only been ill for a few days but was now weak and not having appetite for food. He even complained of nausea and was said to have vomited occasionally. However, close family members had noticed that his eyes appeared slightly yellowish in the past one or two days. They just thought it was “common” malaria.
A presumptive diagnosis of Hepatitis was made. Hep B screening test was positive. The man was promptly referred to a bigger Health facility much to the consternation, nay disappointment, of the immediate family. The man died two days later at the referral center. He died of Hepatitis B. It appeared like a movie with very rapid scenes.
About nineteen to twenty years ago, young woman in her mid twenties was pregnant with her second child that eventually never was. She had been in perfect health, or so everyone thought. She was seen in the clinic, promptly admitted in the hospital on account of high grade fever and deeply yellow eyes. Like another rapid flicks, in less than 72 hours the final frame on the movie appeared…THE END. She expired.
Medical workers see people die but some are rather dramatic and leave a scar on one’s mind. You see why it is not easy to forget that Hepatitis B kills.
CAUSES
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.
Hepatitis can be caused by:
● Attack on the liver by the body’s immune cells.
● Viral infections such as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. etc
* Bacterial infection or protozoan or other micro-organism infestation.
● Liver damage from poisons and toxins or alcohol.
● Medicine overdose.
Hepatitis B, like C and D are transmitted by serum/blood but Hepatitis A and E are transmitted via the mouth through contaminated food and water.
To commemorate the 2020 World Hepatitis Day, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire said, in Nigeria, “We could estimate that about 20 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B and C. Therefore, we recognize the importance of vaccination as a critical intervention in our determination to eliminate HBV infection by 2030. To put the issue in perspective, Nigeria has a population of about 220 million people
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, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. An estimated 354 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, and for most, testing and treatment remain beyond reach. Keep in mind the global population of 8 billion people.
SYMPTOMS/SIGNS
Fever and a feeling of being unwell
Loss of appetite
Weakness and tiredness
Dark urine, pale stool
Unexplained weight loss
Yellow eyes/skin
Hepatitis B or C infection will not invariably run an acute and fatal course. In deed, they are often responsible for chronic disease that leads to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and eventually, death.
PREVENTION
Whereas, there is no vaccine yet for Hepatitis C, immunization of babies with Hepatitis B vaccine can also protect from hepatitis D. Nigeria has a National Immunization Program for children that incorporates Hep B.
Adult vaccination is done with three spaced doses of Hepatitis B vaccine. It provides protection for life.
Hepatitis A, aka infectious hepatitis, spreads through the faeco-oral route and occurs in epidemics. Sanitation and hygiene is required to keep it at bay.
It is advisable that one presents himself to appropriate healthcare providers in the event of a suspicion of disease or presence of suggestive symptoms.
Apart from a comprehensive history and physical examination, laboratory tests are done to confirm and stage disease. Aside screening tests, more extensive diagnostic tests including but not limited to viral load are now frequently deployed.
TREATMENT
There are antiviral drugs for treatment of Hepatitis B in addition to supportive treatment as may be necessary. The antiviral drugs for Hepatitis C remain prohibitively high but available.
You can check up my earlier blogs on cholera, typhoid fever, health impact of climate change , ebola virus disease, scabies, head lice, telemedicine, measles, success mindset for personal transformation, genital herpes, and conjunctivitis
We encourage community protection and personalized care.
