Key facts

::Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.
::The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person.
::About 600 000 people die every year due to the consequences of hepatitis B.
::Hepatitis B is an important occupational hazard for health workers.
::Hepatitis B is preventable with the currently available safe and effective vaccine.
::Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is a major global health problem. It can cause chronic liver disease and chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

More than 240 million people have chronic (long-term) liver infections. About 600 000 people die every year due to the acute or chronic consequences of hepatitis B.

A vaccine against hepatitis B has been available since 1982. Hepatitis B vaccine is 95% effective in preventing infection and its chronic consequences, and was the first vaccine against a major human cancer.

Recent statistics about carriers in Nigeria are very staggering. Experts claim that four in 10 Nigerians may be carriers. This is most prevalent in rural areas where people have no access to medical care. In the urban area, ignorance is very high.

According Dr Joseph Onigbinde, a doctorate degree holder in Public Health, Nigerians are very ignorant and continue reading http://knowbase.appswheel.com/hepatitis-b-virus-hbv-be-informed-know-your-status-get-vaccinated-safe-the-unborn-generation/