With fresh statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showing that no fewer than 20 million Nigerians are infected with Hepatitis the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN) has decried the alarming spread of the disease in the country..

The body of experts advocates for raised awareness, vaccination and treatment on the disease, which they said is more infectious and common than the human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV/AIDS).

The group attributed the high rate of infection to the ignorance of the people on its mode of transmission, prevention and treatment.

A member, Dr.Hameed Oladipupo, said Hepatitis virus is transmitted through contact with body fluids e.g. unprotected sex with an infected person and sharing of infected needles or other sharp objects that can break the skin. In addition, babies born to an infected mother have a 90 to 95 per cent chance of contracting Hepatitis B virus (HBV) during childbirth. Fortunately, babies born in Nigeria receive Hepatitis vaccines that protect them from developing full-blown Hepatitis as adults.

Dr Oladipupo said that the biggest obstacle confronting Hepatitis treatment in Nigeria is not the virulence of the disease virus or even the spread of the disease but a lack of awareness among Nigerians of the importance of discovering their Hepatitis status. There is also the issue of not knowing what to do, where to go to, and who to see, when it comes to hepatitis. These anomalies are worrisome, even though they are the least government could do, in ensuring effective Hepatitis B control.

“When patients come to the hospital with yellow eyes, most of the time; that is advanced stage, where the situation cannot be salvaged. The best way to know if one has the hepatitis virus is to go for screening, and if confirmed, obtain treatment.”

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina says the Lagos state government has put in place ways to protect against both Hepatitis B and C.

The Special Adviser noted that government established the Blood Transfusion Services unit as part of measures in reducing the transmission of Hepatitis infection and other blood borne diseases by routine screening of blood donors for hepatitis stressing that continuing medical education (CME) and awareness programmes are also held regularly for health workers in various level of health care in the state.

“Knowing the risk factors for Hepatitis B and C infection is the most important step in preventing new infections. The risk factors include having unprotected sexual intercourse, contact with the infected blood or body fluids such as breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids, sharing needles and syringes, transfusion with unscreened blood, body piercing and tattoos using unsterilized instruments”, she said.

While noting that Hepatitis B infection is a potentially life threatening liver infection caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Adeshina pointed out that an estimated two billion people have been infected with HBV and more than 350 million have lifelong liver infections stressing that Hepatitis B vaccine, which is available, is 95% effective in preventing HBV infection and its chronic consequences.

The Special Adviser explained that Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) adding that it can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious lifelong illness.

“There are no vaccines to prevent Hepatitis C infection unlike Hepatitis B virus. The risk of infection can however be reduced by avoiding unnecessary and unsafe injections, unsafe blood products, unsafe sharp waste collection and disposal, use of illicit drugs and sharing of injection equipment, tattoos and piercing performed with contaminated equipments”, she explained.

Adeshina while the people to ensure that they are screened and tested at the nearest health facilities noted that getting tested for Hepatitis B and C is quick and simple stressing that the earlier it is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can start and the less likely complications.