While Namibia rejoices in the victory won over the eradication of Hepatitis E, guards should not be let down as the country continues to experience the wrath of Hepatitis B, a deadly virus that medical experts feel is being ignored.
World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is commemorated every year on 28 July, bringing the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence change. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that worldwide, 290 million people are living with viral Hepatitis unaware.
“Hepatitis B is one of the things that have been ignored widely around the world. And right now we’re facing such devastating effects from it. A lot of the time we’ve been or the government has been focused on HIV/AIDS,” shared Dr Melago Mukwaso, the medical director at MediCity Medical Practice.
She added that with the advent of Covid-19 right now, they are facing a lot of problems or complications from people who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis B.
“They are not usually followed up properly and then end up with complications of cancer or cirrhosis, so that’s why it’s very important people are aware of it, they understand what it is and indicate the correct treatment,” said Mukwaso.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains Hepatitis as inflammation of the liver, adding that when it is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. CDC adds that heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can all cause Hepatitis. However, it is often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common Hepatitis viruses are Hepatitis A, B virus, and C virus.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Some people with Hepatitis B are sick for only a few weeks (known as “acute” infection), but for others, the disease progresses to a serious, lifelong illness known as chronic Hepatitis B.
“We have acute and chronic Hepatitis B. With acute, people present with yellowish skin and the sclera of the eye. People tend to have nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases fever. What’s important is to pick up those early symptoms,” said Mukwaso.
Lifestyle
Mukwaso said people must be mindful of what they take in as there are instigators that could cripple the functions of the liver like alcohol.
“When you are diagnosed with Hepatitis B, I strongly advise that you refrain from consuming alcohol because it worsens the stages of the liver disease. The prescribed medication also has liver toxicity, which propels Hepatitis B even further. Things like Paracetamol or Panado are some of the medications that are recommended for persons with liver issues,” she highlighted.
“Transmission of HBV from mother to child is more common in children born to women who have a high level of Hepatitis B virus in the blood known as HBV viral load.”