Expert advises Nigerians on regular hepatitis test

Nigerians have been urged to make themselves available on regular hepatitis screening for early detection and treatment. Dr Frances Akoh, a consultant surgeon, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada on Monday, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gwagwalada. He said it had become necessary to keep […]

Nigerians have been urged to make themselves available on regular hepatitis screening for early detection and treatment.

Dr Frances Akoh, a consultant surgeon, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada on Monday, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gwagwalada.

He said it had become necessary to keep Nigerians informed about the silent killer virus.

According to him, any person tested and discovered positive, requires the attention of gastroenterologist or a trained physician to evaluate and treat the infected person properly.

“When the liver becomes inflamed, the person is said to suffer hepatitis; it refers to an inflammatory disease of the liver caused by hepatitis-B virus.

“The person could be at risk of hepatitis B; adult or children and the risk of hepatitis B infection is common by somebody having unprotected sex.

“Acute hepatitis B symptoms can last for a few days to six months and most of these symptoms are mild,” he said.

Akoh disclosed that the age at which a person is infected with hepatitis B influences the extent to which the disease can become chronic.

He said that infants who are infected with hepatitis B have higher tendencies of developing the chronic form of the disease than children.

“Scarification with unsterilised sharp blades, needles and knives, such as tattooing, circumcision and piercings of the skin.

“Sharing of blades used for hair cutting, injection needles used by drug addicts, in some health facilities especially the ones operated by quacks.

“Having sexual relationship with men, and people that indulge in oral sex; and somebody receiving blood transfusion especially from an infected source,” he explained.

He, however, called on the Federal Government to fund relevant health organisations to assist in the fight against hepatitis in the country.

The surgeon said that increased awareness of signs and symptoms and timely diagnosis, has been known to reduce the rate of infection. (NAN)