Nigerians have been advised to as a matter of urgency, go for tests to determine their Hepatitis B status as this liver damaging virus is ruthlessly ravaging the Country. Experts have warned that over 20 million Nigerians are currently living with the deadly virus; saying that early detection is the key to solving the problem. This is coming as stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to declare Hepatitis B a health emergency as it did with HIV/AIDS and Ebola.

According to a Consultant Gastroenterologist with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Olufunmilayo Lesi, ''Hepatitis B is very common in Nigeria. The national prevalence is between 10 and 15 percent. That means that about 20 million Nigerians are living with Hepatitis B.This is also very high when you compare it to other countries and the worst part is less than five percent know that they have the disease.'' Continuing, she added, ''I run the Hepatitis Clinic in LUTH and I see many young men and women with liver cancer, which is the product of untreated Hepatitis B infection.''

In a detailed Study published by the Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, the results stated that, ''the pooled prevalence estimate for Nigeria was 13.6%.... Assuming Nigeria has an estimated population of 160 million people, the overall HBV burden based on our estimates would be 21.760 million sero-positive persons.''

Another research findings reported by Pan African Medical Journal concluded thus: ''Hepatitis B Virus infection is of high endemicity in Nigeria thus early detection, treatment of infected pregnant women, immunoprophylaxis for exposed newborns and surveillance for those with chronic infection is essential. Health education programs on prevention and control measures must be instituted.''

In a Review published by Researchgate and titled, Hepatitis B Infection in Nigeria, the Conclusion stated as follows: ''The high prevalence of 13.3% questions the effectiveness of the Nigerian HBV Vaccination Program. Therefore, there is a need for health promotion awareness campaign to educate the general public on the danger, mode of transmission and the risk factors associated with HBV infection especially among youth population.''

In the same vein, former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, observed that, ''Hepatitis in Nigeria is a health emergency. Its national prevalence is three times more than that of HIV/AIDS and diabetes. We should fight it as we fought guinea worm, Ebola and as we are fighting polio infections.''

Hepatitis B Virus infection is a deadly disease that can damage your liver. It can cause scaring of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and early death! Go for test today to know your status. If positive, find a way to immediately get rid of it from your system.

Very dangerous disease! I nearly lost my life to it, but was lucky to survive it. Others were unlucky & lost their lives to the deadly virus. See the story here: https://www.nairaland.com/3838531/encounter-victory-over-deadly-hepatitis

Lalasticlala, this is front page worthy.
We really are tired of seeing photos of no relevance




Oh, it made front page eventually

If 20 million Nigerians are living with this disease, that’s like 10% of the whole population. It’s a Pandemic!

socialmediaman:
If 20 million Nigerians are living with this disease, that’s like 10% of the whole population. It’s a Pandemic!

Of course it is already in the neighborhood of pandemic disease! The report says 13.3%! In a serious society, the Government would have declared war on it.

No Nairalander will suffer any debilitating illness this year IJN

Chai

The vaccine is the best and its very affordable.

Chai na Buhari fault oo

A public awareness should be done all over Nigeria to enlighten the citizens of the dangers of this epidemic.

The government should also make the test free in all government health institutions.

The treatment is very expensive..not for the poor at all..govt shouldd do something about that as well

Not my portion!

Go for test, what's the solution if positive

Nitobegiku is the solution.

Houseofglam7:
Lalasticlala, this is front page worthy.
We really are tired of seeing photos of no relevance

I tell you oo

hisgrace090:
Not my portion!

including me too

Chaii the federal government and the ministry of health should do something about it...

I want to understand how they know 20 million people are living with it if they have not reported themselves for test. Its confusing

My body is a temple of the Holy spirit. I have nothing to do with sickness. Because the spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwels in my mortal body. On him lies the punishment that wins us salvation.
I live in divine health every day. Because zowe lives inside of me.

And yet the whole story did not bother to say what causes it

Early test and taking the vaccine is very crucial . like I did mine 4years ago and the vaccine will last for 10 years . Thanks to KOT catering GRA , who gave me the privilege and opportunities without whom I may not know my status .

Wr can we get d vaccine?

Topmaike007:
including me too

so who's portion is it? You people are funny

The government ought to create more awareness about this deadly disease, a lot of people still think HIV is the worst that can happen

Hmm

OP, you ended up telling us about how dangerous the disease is but failed to give detailed information of what it is, the cause, symptom and how it can be prevented. That information is much more necessary than those statistics you have up there.

What's the cause oh

CTGVenturesFCT:
The vaccine is the best and its very affordable.

How much is the vaccine if I may ask bro?

hisexcellency34:
No Nairalander will suffer any debilitating illness this year IJN

Everything is not religion, go and do the necessary thing biko

op tell us the symptomz and cause biko

It is caused by Hepatitis B virus.
This virus can be contacted through exposure of infected body fluid such as blood and semen.
The virus can live outside the body for years unlike the HIV that can not survive outside the body for more than 30 minutes.
Commonly transmitted from :
1, Mother to child in utero
2, Blood transfusion with unscreened blood and blood products
3, Sharing of sharps and needles especially during scarification marks, intravenous drug addicts, accidental needle prick
4, unprotected sexual exposure
5, close contacts and sharing of tooth brush which is common among family members and in the nurseries.

If you have a spouse or family member that is positive but your lab is negative, kindly get vaccinated.
Cure for Hepatitis B not yet found but the virus can be suppressed to undetectable level. Some people do have spontenous seroconversion.
If you are positive, see a hepatologist/Gastroenterologyist or infectious disease specialists to manage you.

Hope this is helpful?

Mcreloaded:
And yet the whole story did not bother to say what causes it

I had to go through the whole story again to be sure I didn't miss the part they mentioned what causes it. Just long without details