The 2020 World Hepatitis Day is very much approaching and it is a day set aside to create awareness about the viral disease which has killed many people silently as compared to COVID 19.
On Tuesday 28 July 2020 which is the Hepatitis Day there will be different Media events all over the world to mark it amidst the COViD 19 pandemic.
One thing you should ask yourself are you hepatitis free if you dont know or you can answer the question please start talking to a doctor because we can work towards achieving the goal of hepatitis elimination by 2030.
WHAT IS HEPATITIS?
Hepatitis B and C are viruses that can damage your liver and lead to liver cancer. There are a number of different hepatitis viruses, with hepatitis B and hepatitis C being the most common in Nigeria . Small outbreaks of hepatitis A are occasionally seen in Nigeria but it is not common.
While hepatitis A, B and C are all forms of hepatitis they are spread in different ways and affect different populations of people.
Infection with hepatitis A can have serious (but short-lived) symptoms and people generally make a full recovery.
Infection with hepatitis B can be life-long with treatment used as needed to prevent the onset of serious liver disease.
There are effective vaccines to protect against both hepatitis A and B.
Infection with hepatitis C can now be cured in as little as 8 to 12 weeks.
MILLION OF NiGERIANS HAVE HEPATITIS AND DON’T KNOW IT.
Have you asked for a hepatitis test?
TESTING FOR HEPATITIS
Testing for hepatitis B or hepatitis C involves having specific blood tests done, which you can be done for you quickly.
Don’t assume you are hepatitis free get tested for hepatitis.
Before you have the tests, the doctor or nurse will usually discuss the implications of any test results (positive or negative) with you before they order the blood tests. There are two type of blood tests conducted:
The first test checks for hepatitis antibodies, to see if you have ever come into contact with a hepatitis virus. If this test comes back positive it means you have had the hepatitis virus in you body at some point – but does not mean you currently have hepatitis.
If the first test comes back positive a second test is done to see if there is any hepatitis virus in your blood. This is the test that will determine if you are living with hepatitis.
Testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis C can be slightly different so it is recommend checking the more detailed information from your doctor
TESTING FOR HEPATITIS B
TESTING FOR HEPATITIS C
YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN AGAINST HEPATITIS B
Talk to your doctor about vaccinations.
HEPATITIS B VACCINATION
Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B is safe and very effective. Vaccination is not just about protecting yourself or your children, it is about eliminating viruses from the population as a whole. Also, if a baby or small child gets hepatitis B there is a greater risk it will develop into a life-long infection, which currently cannot be cured.
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended at birth and for adults who may be at higher risk of getting it.
HEPATITIS B AND C ARE LEADING CAUSES OF LIVER CANCER IN NIGERIA
Have you had a liver health check in the last six months?
HEP B CARE
If you have chronic hepatitis B it is important that you maintain contact with your doctor and have regular liver health checks to monitor how hepatitis B is affecting your body. There is currently no cure for hepatitis B and if left unchecked, hepatitis B can cause serious liver disease and lead to liver cancer.
Having regular checks will help the doctor determine if and when treatment is needed to keep the hepatitis B virus in check and help prevent the onset of liver problems.
If you have hepatitis B and have not had a liver health check in the last six months it is as advisable that you discuss this with your doctor.
MORE ABOUT TREATMENT FOR HEPATITIS B
FIND OUT HOW THOUSANDS OF NIGERIIANS ARE NOW LIVING FREE OF
HEPATITIS C
Hep C can now be cured in 8-12 weeks.
Talk to your doctor about treatment or contact Hepatitis Zero Commission Nigeria.
A CURE FOR HEPATITIS C
Yes, hepatitis C can now be cured! The latest medicines used to treat hepatitis C result in a cure for more than 95% of people,
The medicines used in Nigeria today are simple to take (no injections if you don’t want ) and can cure most people in 8 to 12 weeks
THE ELIMINATION OF VIRAL HEPATITIS
The elimination of viral hepatitis has been firmly put on the map. At the 69th World Health Assembly in Geneva, 194 governments (including Nigeria ) adopted the World Health Organisations’s Global Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, which includes a goal of eliminating hepatitis B and C as a health issue in the next 10 years. To achieve these goals everyone needs to help.
GO FOR HEPATITIS TEST
On World Hepatitis Day we can all build on the momentum and accelerate progress towards achieving the goal of elimination by 2030.
Talking about and raising community awareness of new affordable cures for hepatitis C and the importance of vaccinations against hepatitis B and having regular liver health checks will help.
Whether you are living with hepatitis, know someone who is, make policy decisions or just care about it as a health issue, your actions can help. We have put together a number of ways to get involved. You can also contact the Hepatitis Zero Commission Nigeria
to find out what events may be happening near you.
