On Saturday, 23rd April, 2022, there would be a Free Hepatitis B Testing and Vaccination for 1,000 persons living in and around Lokogoma. Before we talk about why you need the Hepatitis B Vaccination, we need to know what the Hepatitis B is. What it causes, the symptoms and possible treatment. I have had several calls and many questions have been put forward, I hope this write up would help.
What is Hepatitis B
According to the WHO; “Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a major global health problem. It can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
Other Important facts to note from WHO are state below:
- Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.
- The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections or exposures to sharp instruments.
- WHO estimates that 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in 2019, with 1.5 million new infections each year.
- In 2019, hepatitis B resulted in an estimated 820 000 deaths, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer).
- Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are safe, available and effective.
How is Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Transmitted?
Mode and Speed of transmission
There are several ways HBV can be transmitted. It should be noted that transmission is majorly via fluid or blood. Hence, it is advised that sharing of sharp objects, sterilized needles etc should be avoided.
Bodily fluids can also carry the virus, hence saliva and fluid transmitted via sex with an infected person is another way of transmitting HBV. Furthermore, sharing of clothes is not advised because sweat from an infected person can also be a means of transmitting the virus.
In WHO’s explanation “Hepatitis B is also spread by needlestick injury, tattooing, piercing and exposure to infected blood and body fluids, such as saliva and menstrual, vaginal and seminal fluids. Transmission of the virus may also occur through the reuse of contaminated needles and syringes or sharp objects either in health care settings, in the community or among persons who inject drugs. Sexual transmission is more prevalent in unvaccinated persons with multiple sexual partners.
WHO also explains that, “in highly endemic areas, hepatitis B is most commonly spread from mother to child at birth (perinatal transmission) or through horizontal transmission (exposure to infected blood), especially from an infected child to an uninfected child during the first 5 years of life. The development of chronic infection is common in infants infected from their mothers or before the age of 5 years.” Hence the need for testing pregnant women to confirm their HBV Status and protect the child at child birth. It also the reason why child vaccination is highly recommended.
And if you did not get any of the earlier gist, please take this one as very important:
“The hepatitis B virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days. During this time, the virus can still cause infection if it enters the body of a person who is not protected by the vaccine.”
WHO
Well, we may just need to be careful about clothes we try on, especially at boutiques; or the utensils we use in various places, schools etc. Try not to share/borrow clothes. If you must, ensure to properly wash and sun them before putting them on.
What are the Symptoms of HBV?
Hepatitis B is tagged as a dangerous and a silent killer. This is because most persons do not experience any symptoms when newly affected till it has done great damage to the system. The virus takes time to incubate (several months) then causes havoc.
However, some person record some symptoms which include: yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. WHO
It is also noted that persons with acute hepatitis can develop acute liver failure, which can lead to death. Among the long-term complications of HBV infections, a subset of persons develops advanced liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which cause high morbidity and mortality. As explained by WHO.
The truth is that, e no dey show for face!
Treatment of Hepatitis B
Firstly, it is important to note that depending on the level of damage to the system, there may be no treatment to the Hepatitis B. This is why it is very dangerous. There are chronic cases, acute cases and cases which have degenerated into cancer.
There are actually recent claims to the provisions of drugs to cure Hepatitis B. Unfortunately, they are very expensive because they are patent drugs. “WHO recommends the use of oral treatments (tenofovir or entecavir) as the most potent drugs to suppress hepatitis B virus. Most people who start hepatitis B treatment must continue it for life.” Again, this depends on what is available in your locality.
For cases who have degenerated to liver cancer, there may not be a cure for such case. There may be need for liver transplant in some cases and many at times, Hepatitis B cases are only managed, for life without a possible cure. Why not prevent instead of looking for a cure. This leads to the reason why we need the Hepatitis B Vaccine.
So Why Do You Need The Hepatitis B Vaccination?
Are you skeptical about HB Vaccination?
Let us commence with the last fact earlier stated by WHO “Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are safe, available and effective.”
The vaccines has been around for a while and we have vaccines for children and those for adult. The HB Vaccines have been certified safe and no cause for alarm.
I would also respond with mixed feelings. I wish everyone can get the vaccine. Unfortunately, not everyone can! For those who test positive to HBV, the vaccine is no longer useful.
They are expected to go for further tests to check the status of their liver and check for other health conditions. For pregnant women who have been tested positive for HBV, they are counselled on how to protect their children. The good news is that early detection can help them on the long run and probably take the right doses that would rid the system of the HBV.
Again, the question still comes to mind, why do we need the vaccination? From the WHO statistics, we see that the rate of infection is alarming. We have itemized several ways the virus can be contracted and explained that the virus is very contagious. WHO also explains that the vaccination keeps you safe from being infected. We therefore need to take the test and the vaccination because prevention is better that cure. A single infected person can infect his/her household, friends, neighbours, colleagues without knowing. Please we all need to be vaccinated.
If you have been vaccinated in the past and couldn’t complete your 3 doses, it is advised that you repeat the vaccination. You are not yet safe! This is to state that the vaccination comes in 3 schedules and the next 2 doses have already been planned for everyone that takes the first dose.
The Event is : HEALTH FAIR DAY (FREE HEPATITIS B Testing & Vaccination)
Invitees: Residents within and around Lokogoma District
Date: Saturday, 23rd April, 2022
Time : 9:00am
Venue 1: St. Benedict Catholic Church, Efab Estate, Lokogoma
Venue 2: St. Peter Catholic Church, Dogongada, Lokogoma
Organizers & Sponsors:
- Society of St. Vincent De Paul
- CMARGS Group
- National Primary Health Care Development Agency
- Biofem Group
- lokogoma.com
- St. Benedict Catholic Church, Efab Estate, Lokogoma
- St. Peter Catholic Church, Dogongada, Lokogoma
Please if for any reason you cannot take this vaccination, please do to any hospital of your choice and request for the testing and vaccination.
We wish a healthy living! Remember – Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are safe, available and effective!
Love from the lokogoma.com team!
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