READ THIS. what you must know about Hepatitis.

 

WHAT IS HEPATITIS B & C?
Hepatitis B and C are liver diseases caused by the Hepatitis B and C Virus.
It makes the Liver swell and stops it from functioning properly.

HOW COULD I GET HEPATITIS B AND C?
*HEPATITIS C is spread mainly by contact with an infected person's blood.
*HEPATITIS B is however far more infectious and can be spread by contact with blood, semen, or other body fluid. Saliva inclusive.

YOU CAN GET HEPATITIS B AND C?
Sharing drug needles with an infected person.
Sharing tooth bushes, razor, and such personal care items with an infected person.
Getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it (especially for health workers)

HEPATITIS B is more infectious and can be spread by:
Having sex with an infected person without using protection.
Living with an infected person. 
an infected woman can give Hepatitis B to her baby at birth or through breast milk.

Persons at risk for hepatitis B are also at risk of infection with hepatitis C virus or HIV

YOu can not get Hepatitis by:
shaking hands.
hugging an infected person.
Sitting next to an infected person.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Hepatitis B and C can make you feel like you have flu.

You might:
feel tired
feel abdominal discomfort
have a fever
have poor appetite
Nausea and vomiting
have stomach pain
have diarrhoea.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE
DArk yellow urine
Light coloured stools
Yellowish  eyes and skin.

Some people do not have any symptoms. However, it has been shown that if you are infected with
HEPATITIS B or C, Liver damage continues regardless of the signs and symptoms.

When the symptoms appear, the infected person has a short
time left to live.

 
If you have any symptoms related to the ones mentioned above, kindly consult your doctor IMMEDIATELY.

WHAT ARE THE TESTS FOR HEPATITIS B AND C?
To check for hepatitis B and C, the doctor will test your blood. The tests will also shhow
the extent of the liver damage and the need for treatment.

The Doctor may also do a liver biopsy. This is a sample test where the doctor removes a tiny pieces of your liver through a needle.
the doctor the check for signs of Hepatitis B and C and liver Damage.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF?
1. Do not share personal care items such as razors, toothbrushes etc
2. Consider the risks if you are thinking about tattooing or piercing any part of your body.
3. If you have or had Hepatitis B or C, do not donate blood, organ or tissue.
4. Practice safe sex using barrier methods such as latex condoms every time you have sex.
5. Vaccination offers the best protection against Hepatitis B.
THERE IS NO VACCINATION FOR HEPATITIS C

If you are a health worker or Public safety worker, get vaccinated for hepatitis and always follow
routine barrier precautions when handling needles and other sharp objects.
If you are pregnant you should get a blood test for hepatitis B. Knowing your status may help prevent your newborn baby from being infected.

WHY YOU SHOULD TREAT CHRONIC HEPATITIS B AND C.

1. Untreated Chronic Hepatitis B may lead to Liver cirrhosis, Liver failure and liver cancer.
2. Liver cancer is the second largest cause of death due to cancer in Nigeria.
3. Hepatitis B is endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa.
4. In sub-Saharan Africa 20-3- cases/ 100,000 population (compared to 5/100,000 in other countries).

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT AGAINST HEPATITIS IS NOW AVAILABLE. GET TESTED AND IF YOU ARE POSITIVE, NEVER LOSS HOPE. EARLY DETECTION IS THE KEY.