By: Lanre Omotoso
Nigerians have been enjoined to embrace all forms of personal, food and environmental hygiene in order not to fall victim of liver infection.
A public Nurse, Mr Joshua Olowofila gave the advice in an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria reporter in Ado Ekiti,to commemorate World Hepatitis Day.
Mr. Olowofila who identified hepatitis as inflammation of the liver, said to guard against the disease, people must desist from excessive intake of alcohol, avoid illegal sex, not sharing sharp objects, and ensure that they receive properly screened blood.
While noting that only blood test could determine hepatitis patient, the Nurse identified symptoms of damaged liver to include dark urine, stomach ache, jaundice, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue and joint pains.
He emphasized that some carriers of hepatitis may not show any symptoms because of their strong immune system, but may easily infect people with low immunity.
Mr. Olowofila explained that the liver disease affect over twenty million Nigerians, adding that eight out of one-hundred people were infected with either Hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E.
Following the adoption of a resolution during the 63rd World Health Assembly in 2010, July 28 was declared World Hepatitis Day to keep liver that silently performs over 500 vital functions every single day alive, and this year’s theme is ” One life, one liver”.
