My yesterday's post on the number of people living with Hepatitis B Virus in Nigeria, elicited a lot of reactions with some saying I should have included the causes and Symptoms. I then promised to publish the causes today. See the yesterday's post here: https://www.nairaland.com/4944652/millions-nigerians-living-hepatitis-b#74524166

CAUSES OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS
Hepatitis disease is a contagious liver infection caused by the blood-borne pathogen known as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) The Virus is very dangerous and can lead to liver cancer. It is a major global health problem. It can cause early death from Cirrhosis and liver cancer.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 257 million people are living with Hepatitis B infection Worldwide! The World Body stated that, "in 2015, hepatitis B resulted in 887,000 deaths, mostly from complications (including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma)" This number is alarming when added to the undocumented Hepatitis B related deaths in Third World countries.

The cause of Hepatitis B is the HBV which is transmitted when the blood or other body fluids of an infected person enter the body of an uninfected person. The Virus is found in such body fluids as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, saliva etc. It can be spread and transmitted through the following ways:

1. Unprotected Sexual Contact with an Infected Person
Hepatitis B Virus is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person. The Virus is found in semen and vaginal fluid. Avoid unsafe sex. Try to always use condoms and other latex barriers when having sex to prevent yourself from contacting this killer Virus.

2. Sharing of Sharp Body Piercing Objects
Hepatitis B can be caused or transmitted through the sharing of syringes, needles, and other body piercing tools. Indiscriminate use of intravenous drug paraphernalia can lead to exposure to the Hepatitis B Virus. Use of unsterilized tattooing equipment can lead to infection.

3. Mother to Child During and After Birth
An Hepatitis B infected mother can transmit the Virus to her child during pregnancy, birth and even after delivery. Women are encouraged to go for Hepatitis B screening before pregnancy; and take vaccination, or, in the event that they are positive, should be treated before pregnancy. An already pregnant woman diagnosed to be HBV positive should be subjected to extra medical care to avoid mother to child transmission. A new baby should be vaccinated within 12 hours of birth.

4. Use of Unscreen Blood Transfusion
Hepatitis B is spread through the use of unscreen blood. As observed earlier, the Virus is a blood-borne Virus. The transfusion of an infected blood from a carrier to a non-carrier is an express way to infection. Do not accept or advocate the use of untested or unscreen blood for transfusion.

5. Accidental Exposure to Blood from Needle Sticks
Accidental needle stick is one of the workplace hazards for health care workers. Infection of Hepatitis B Virus can occur if a health worker, or people who handle health tools that have infected blood on them are accidentally stuck with such objects or tools. Maximum safety measures are expected to be observed in all health work places.

6. Contact with Infected Sneeze, Cough, Or Saliva
Hepatitis B is caused by contact with sneeze, cough or saliva of an infected person. Some health experts argue that the Virus cannot be transmitted through contact with sneeze or cough of a carrier, but the truth is that the Virus is know to be present in body fluids. Prevention, they say, is better that cure. Go for test today to know your status as early detection is the key.

Very educative. Knowing the causes is an easy way of knowing the prevention. Government must do more in educating the citizens about this very dangerous virus.

kudosamass:
Very educative. Knowing the causes is an easy way of knowing the prevention. Government must do more in educating the citizens about this very dangerous virus.

I agree with you. Gov't needs to wake up from her slumber, especially Ministries of Health & Information