Health Angle:HEPATITIS B- Kissing and the Silent But Deadly Killer Disease!

I'm sure many people think there's no other disease that's worse than HIV/AIDS, but truth be told, Hepatitis B infection is deadlier. The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV; it’s such a perfect silent killer! In most cases, HBV causes limited infection which people manage to fight off successfully within a few months, developing an immunity that lasts a lifetime. However, some don’t get rid of the infection (these people are called carriers). In a few others, the infection becomes chronic leading to cirrhosis (hardening of the liver) or liver cancer which eventually leads to failure of the organ/death. 

                                                             What is Hepatitis B?

It is a serious disease or illness of the liver caused by the HBV. Hepatitis is "inflammation" of the liver which simply means the swelling of the liver after being infected by the hepatitis virus. Let’s liken the liver to a red tomato: It looks smooth, fresh and red when it’s healthy. But, when the tomato is infected, rather than looking fresh, you will begin to see some irritating darkish spots. The healthy and infected liver, in the same way, have distinct looks.

                                 Causes/Mode of Transmission/Risk Factors

These viruses gain access into the body cells, take them up and rebuild to their own taste. At this stage, the immune system of the body sees these deformed cells as ‘foreign ‘and starts destroying them not knowing that this is 'suicide'. HBV is spread by infected blood and other bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, saliva (through kissing) and open sores. Others are blood transfusions, tattooing, piercing, and sharing needles, razors or toothbrushes with an infected person, transmission from mother to child, working in healthcare setting.

                                                       Signs and Symptoms

After contracting this virus, the incubation period i.e, the period from when it multiplies within the body to the time it starts making you know of its presence through symptoms and signs is the incubation period. This is usually within 6weeks to 6months. Some of the symptoms are developed in the acute phase. They include, but not limited to:

·           Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes and/or a brownish/orange tint to the urine)

·         Unusually light-coloured stool

·         Mild fever and body aches

·         Unexplained fatigue that persists for weeks or months

·         Gastrointestinal Tract symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting

·         Abdominal distention and pain (from an enlarged liver)

·         Hair loss which can be on the head, armpit, pubic areas

·         Swelling of the cheeks

·         Big breasts in men and the opposite in women

·         Easy bruisability that is, you have a cut and before you can stop bleeding, it might take forever

·         Weight Loss

        Despite all of these, it must be clearly stated that about 30% of those infected do not show typical signs or symptoms. Frequently, there will be no symptoms, and it is only discovered in a blood test.

Exams and Test

Blood tests detect either the viral antigens (proteins produced by the virus) or antibodies produced by the host (the infected person).

                                                                    Prevention

The good news is that Hepatitis B is preventable. And for those who already contracted it, there are ways of reducing its complications and even "wiping it out of your system". In simple terms, avoid the various modes of transmission highlighted earlier on and get vaccinated. Hepatitis B vaccine, which is in 3 doses, helps to confer resistance to the virus even when you come in contact with it.

                                                              Treatment
 In some cases, people are able to ward off the virus and their bodies develop lifelong immunity against the virus. In others, treatment include the use of antiviral drugs that in most cases help reduce the complications of the disease and doing series of tests to check the viral level in the body which can be money consuming. Hepatitis B virus infection is a deadly disease because in most cases "e dey show for face" and it crumbles the life of an individual rapidly without wasting time. But let's remember that "prevention, they say, is always better than cure". So, please get vaccinated!!!

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G-BOX:ISIAQ HAMMED SPEAKS ON NIGERIA HOUSE OF REPS MEMBERS' DEMAND FOR #45M QUARTERLY ALLOWANCE.

                                                                             

      Can we meet you sir?

      I am Isiaq Oladeji Hammed; a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University. Currently a Graduate  Assistant at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba and now in Saudi Arabia on a Master's Degree program in French Translation.

1   What is the greatest problem confronting Nigeria today (please give instances of such) and how can it be solved? 

They are numerous.Among the many problems facing us as a nation are bad governance, corruption, nepotism, ethno-religious bigotry and intolerance. When you hear some of our so called leaders, you wonder how they got to power. For verily, they are round pegs in rectangular holes. In saner climes, they only present tested, trusted and capable heads to lead them. Also, you get what you deserve according to what you know and not who you know. They place emphasis on MERIT and not mediocrity. You are hired and fired not according to your "God-fathers" but according to what you have offered and can offer.

     Let me give you a practical instance here, in this era of Boko Haram where defenseless citizens are slaughtered day in day out, no serious nation will have the likes of Erelu Obada or Labaran Maku as Defense Ministers. I mean DEFENSE!!!

      We will only move forward as a people if we have a NATIONAL REBIRTH. By that I mean attitudinal changes from the top to the bottom strata of the society. We have to start acting right and demanding always that things be done right. We have to start seeing ourselves as Nigerians and never again from the ethnic or religious lens. We have to care for and love our fellow countrymen especially the less privileged; tolerate one another and live in peace. 

1   Members of the Nigeria House of Representatives are reportedly making moves to increase their quarterly allowance from #27million to 45million, what is your take on it?     

    Laughs... These peoples will not stop to amuse me. I don't even think that their quarterly take-home is #27million before. They have a whole lot of other sources: aside their salaries, they get constituency project allowance, oversight functions allocations and bribes etc. You wonder why they hold their emoluments in top secrecy. You can't really ascertain how much they collect. I wonder what works they are doing to warrant those bogus pays in a country where the minimum wage is #18, 000. Both arms of the federal legislature receive a lump sum of 150 billion naira annually to run its affairs with no breakdown or accountable means of understanding how this sum is spent. You remember Lamido Sanusi challenged them a couple of years that 25% of our annual budget ends in their pockets and which they could not deny.

           In short, this latest attempt at increment is an affront on our conscience. It is the peak of insensitivity on their part to the plights of thousands of our Colleges of education and Polytechnic students who have been at home and wandering like Fulani cattle on our streets for close to a year now. These same people blocked and killed a bill that would have fetched our many unemployed youths a social security allowance of just #20, 000. Personally, I don't see them as representing me or the people. 

1     What are the implications of this move?  

     The implications? Very simple, more money to their pockets and less to the people they swore to represent. That is tantamount to an increase in recurrent expenditures and less for capital resources that could better the lots of me and you. I suspect they want their share of the stolen #20 billion especially as the 2015 elections are fast approaching. You know they need money to oil their electioneering campaign machineries.Laughs!!!

1     How do you think Nigerians can stop this? 

     You see I don't believe Obasanjo, Jonathan, Tinubu, Babangida etc will stoop so low as to start carrying and stealing ballot boxes and stuffing it with ballot papers. They use fellow Nigerians like me and you, who are so daft to sell their destiny over bottles of ‘Ogogoro’ and therefore suffer for the next four years or more. Do you see their own children on election days? My people will say "Omo olomo la ran nise de toru toru".

     Until we start being very active before, during and after elections, I don't see us getting free from this bondage. The youths especially need to stop political apathy. And take active roles in our national politics.

1      What are your personal efforts in ensuring a new nation?

I have been sensitizing my fellow youths for some times now on the social media and at any public forum, formal or informal. To make sure I also work the talk, I have joined a number of NGOs and change oriented bodies like Hope Rising Foundation (HRF), Nigerian Youths Movement, Intellectual Circle, Change Movement Nigeria etc. In fact, I had to partake actively in a protest that took place last year against the ASUU strike in Osogbo, Osun State even though I was no longer in the university. Right now, I am nurturing the idea of going for an elective post come 2019, by God's grace. Our people deserve better and more youthful leaders!

      What is your advice for the Nigerian Youth on the need to participate in achieving the New NIGERIA?

         Like I said, we need a national renaissance. And the drivers of that rebirth should be the youths. In politics, we should stop being passive and play active roles in our national destiny. Serve your fellow human beings with accountability and humility, either in executive capacity or as a follower. In our national rebirth, we are first and foremost Nigerians. And nothing but Nigerians! We should fight corruption to a standstill, criticize and humiliate the corrupt among us. We should also preach and practice LOVE, TOLERANCE, PATRIOTISM AND SACRIFICE so that once again we will be proud NIGERIANS…

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