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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