About Viral Hepatitis

WHAT IS VIRAL HEPATITIS?

Viral Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver as result of an infection of the liver by certain specific viruses, the most important of which are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses because they can cause a longstanding (chronic) inflammation of the liver which if not treated can lead to liver cancer.

Chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus infections usually do not produce symptoms until liver failure or liver cancer has developed. That is the reason they are referred to as “silent killers”. Worldwide, about 300 million people are chronic carriers of Hepatitis B virus and about 71 million people are infected with Hepatitis C virus. About 1 million people with Hepatitis B virus infection die annually globally out of which about 300,000 are as a result of liver cancer. In Nigeria, there is a high prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in particular, with about 20 million Nigerians being chronically infected by the virus. They are at risk of developing irreversible liver damage (cirrhosis) and liver cancer which is a very fatal condition. You need to get tested to know your status.

HOW CAN SOMEONE GET INFECTED WITH HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C VIRUSES?

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses can be spread by contact with infected blood, blood products, semen, vaginal secretions, saliva or other body secretions. Therefore, a person can get infected with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses by any of these means:

1. Sharing sharp objects such as razor blade or needles with an infected person.

2. Receiving blood transfusion with blood from an infected, unscreened donor.

3. Getting pricked with a needle stained with infected blood.

4. Sharing injection needles with an infected person.

5. Contact of an exposed wound or sore with any body fluid from an infected person.

6. Traditional practices such as applying scarification marks, tattooing, ear piercing and circumcision using the same unsterilized sharp instruments which may be infected on different people.

7. Having sexual intercourse with an infected person and the risk is higher especially with multiple sexual partners.

8. An infected pregnant woman can infect her baby during the process of child birth/delivery (vertical transmission).

9. Sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, nail cutters, shaving sticks, razors, clippers with an infected person.

10. An infected member of a family can infect other members of the household through sharing of sharps and other personal items earlier listed.

11. An infected roommate can infect other occupants of the room through sharing of personal items.

12. Child to child transmission also occurs very commonly through exposure to an infected child’s saliva and other body secretions such as through exposed abrasive wounds children commonly sustain while playing with each other. In Nigeria, majority of people get infected during this early childhood period and will not manifest with symptoms but continue to carry the viruses into adulthood and also continue to infect other people without knowing. The viruses however continue to cause progressive damage to the liver in such carriers.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM CONTRACTING HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C VIRUSES?

You can protect yourself from contracting Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses by avoiding all the above listed risky practices. In addition, the following points should also be adhered to:

1. All Healthcare Workers must maintain Universal Precautions at all times while carrying out their duties.

2. If you have been tested for Hepatitis B and you are negative, you need to get vaccinated with the Hepatitis B vaccine and you must receive the complete 3 doses of the vaccine for you to be protected.

3. If you have not been vaccinated and you have an accidental exposure to Hepatitis B positive blood, you need to receive the Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin within 48hours of the exposure and then get the complete 3 doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine for you to be protected.

4. Every new born baby should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine soon after birth (Birth Dose) and should receive all the other mandatory vaccines as scheduled in the childhood immunization programme in order to be protected.

WHO SHOULD BE TESTED FOR VIRAL HEPATITIS?

Due to the high endemicity of Hepatitis B virus in Nigeria, every adult Nigerian (18 years and above) irrespective of the gender, tribe, religion or occupation should be tested.  

HOW DO I GET TESTED FOR HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C?

You can get tested for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in any approved standard private or government-owned laboratory. Less than 5ml of your blood will be obtained for the tests and your results will be available to you within minutes.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER KNOWING MY RESULTS?

If you tested negative for Hepatitis B and C, you should immediately go to a vaccination center to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine and must complete the 3 doses of the vaccine to be protected, there is however no available vaccine for Hepatitis C. If you tested positive for Hepatitis B or C, you should consult a doctor for further evaluation. You may be subsequently referred to a Specialist (Gastroenterologist) for expert treatment and follow-up. Early evaluation and treatment will prevent the development of irreversible liver damage (Cirrhosis) and liver cancer.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS?

Symptoms of viral hepatitis include: yellowness of the eyes (jaundice), dark yellow urine, itching of the body, abdominal discomfort or pain, feeling weak or tired, fever (low grade), poor appetite, nausea and vomiting. Only in a minority of patients do these symptoms manifest, especially in acutely infected adults. Majority of individuals who are chronically infected do not manifest any symptom. You need to get tested to know your status.

WHAT IS LIVER CANCER?

Liver cancer is an abnormal uncontrollable growth of liver cells that is very fatal. It can be caused by Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses. Once advanced liver cancer develops the chances of survival beyond 6 months is very slim. This is the major reason why individuals should get tested early for these viruses and appropriate measures taken in order to avoid the development of liver cancer which is like a “death sentence” in most instances.

WHAT DOES THE LIVER DO?

The liver is a very vital organ in the body that performs several functions including digestive, synthetic, storage, protective, detoxification and regulatory functions and a lot more. Therefore, take good care of your liver.

HOW ELSE CAN I PROTECT MY LIVER?

You can also protect your liver by avoiding the following: consumption of alcohol, cigarette smoking, intake of illicit drugs, consumption of herbal concoctions, use of unprescribed medications and any other substances injurious to the body.

ABOUT US

Enlightenment Initiative on Viral Hepatitis (EIVH) is a non-governmental organization made up of a team of dedicated clinicians, gastroenterologists, researchers and scientists who are actively involved in the care and management of patients with viral hepatitis in Nigeria and who are also involved in research activities on viral hepatitis and liver cancer in Nigeria.

Aim: Reduce the transmission of viral hepatitis and its associated morbidity and mortality among Nigerians.

Motto: “Towards a Healthy Liver”

Vision: A nation free from viral hepatitis and its complications.

Mission: To heighten the awareness, prevention, screening and diagnosis of viral hepatitis in Nigeria as well as facilitate access to treatment and prevent complications of viral hepatitis. This is to be achieved through planning and implementation of strategic advocacy, research and interventional programs in the different regions of the country.