Dr Aminu Aliyu, Consultant Gastroenterologist with the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), on Saturday advised healthcare providers to discuss options of management of Hepatitis and side effects of drugs with their patients.
Aliyu gave the advice at the Grand Round Presentations of the UITH entitled: “Hepatitis Infections: Screening and Vaccination”.
He observed that treatment of Hepatitis ‘B’ could be life-long, which require healthcare providers to discuss options of management with their patients.
“The clinical goal of treatment is to improve the quality of life of affected patients,” he added.
He described Hepatitis as an inflammation of the liver, adding that alcohol consumption, several health conditions and some medications can all cause this condition.
The Hepatologist explained that transmission of the viral infections are the most common cause of hepatitis and could happen vertically or horizontally.
According to him, vertical transmission occurs between mother and child during pregnancy or labour, while horizontal transmission can occur from child to child at schools especially, where there is a cut in the skin or mucosal surface.
The specialist further stated that unprotected sexual activities with an infected partner is another major source of contracting the disease.
He listed some of the symptoms of the disease to include fever, headaches, yellowness of the eyes, vomiting and general feeling of unwell, among others.
“Even though hepatitis is common all over Nigeria, it is prevalent in the North-Central geo-polical zone especially Nasarawa State.
“The Hepatitis ‘B’ case recorded in Nasarawa is about 8.1 per cent while Hepatitis ‘C’ is at 1.1,” he said.
Aliyu also advised that patients would need to ensure that all their immediate family members are screened for the disease.
He encouraged abstinence from ingestion of alcohol, smoking and herbal concoctions as a preventive measure.
“Immunity against the disease can either come naturally or via vaccinations,” he added.
Aliyu also canvassed for improved healthcare education, sustained vaccination exercise, proper screening, faithfulness to sex partner and robust contact tracing as some of the veriatble measures that would lead to a drastic reduction of infection in Nigeria.
