Hepatitis: WHO, experts call for more awareness: The Virus that causes Hepatitis B is 100 times more deadly than HIV

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="post-247765 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-health entry" style="margin: 0px 0px 30px;"> <h1 class="entry-title" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: url(http://www.punchng.com/wp-content/themes/punch/images/dots-horizontal.gif); background-position: 0% 100%; border-top-color: rgb(255, 1, 1) !important; border-top-style: solid !important; border-top-width: 1px !important; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 9px 4px;"> <br /></h1> <div class="post-info" style="margin: 5px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="date published time" title="2014-07-27T00:00:54+00:00">JULY 27, 2014</span> BY MOTUNRAYO JOEL </span></div> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="st_facebook_buttons" displaytext="share" st_processed="yes" st_title="Hepatitis: WHO, experts call for more awareness" st_url="http://www.punchng.com/health/hepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness/"><span class="stButton" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><span class="stMainServices st-facebook-counter" style="background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/images/facebook_counter.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 16px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-top: 3px; position: relative; width: 60px;"> </span></span></span><span class="st_twitter_buttons" displaytext="share" st_processed="yes" st_title="Hepatitis: WHO, experts call for more awareness" st_url="http://www.punchng.com/health/hepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness/"><span class="stButton" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><span class="stMainServices st-twitter-counter" style="background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/images/twitter_counter.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 16px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-top: 3px; position: relative; width: 60px;"> </span></span></span><span class="st_email_buttons" displaytext="share" st_processed="yes" st_title="Hepatitis: WHO, experts call for more awareness" st_url="http://www.punchng.com/health/hepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness/"><span class="stButton" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><span class="stMainServices st-email-counter" style="background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/images/email_counter.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 16px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-top: 3px; position: relative; width: 60px;"> </span></span></span><span class="st_fblike_buttons" displaytext="share" st_processed="yes" st_title="Hepatitis: WHO, experts call for more awareness" st_url="http://www.punchng.com/health/hepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness/"><span style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; margin: 3px 3px 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: bottom;"><div class="fb-like fb_iframe_widget fb_iframe_widget_fluid" data-action="" data-href="http://www.punchng.com/health/hepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness/" data-layout="button_count" data-send="false" data-show-faces="false" fb-iframe-plugin-query="app_id=&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.punchng.com%2Fhealth%2Fhepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness%2F&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&sdk=joey&send=false&show_faces=false" fb-xfbml-state="rendered" style="height: auto; position: relative; text-align: left; width: 76px;"> <span style="display: inline-block; height: 20px; position: relative; text-align: justify; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" class="" frameborder="0" height="1000px" name="f187b5044" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/v2.0/plugins/like.php?app_id=&channel=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2FoDB-fAAStWy.js%3Fversion%3D41%23cb%3Df62fe8df8%26domain%3Dwww.punchng.com%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.punchng.com%252Ff37d7e8ac%26relation%3Dparent.parent&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.punchng.com%2Fhealth%2Fhepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness%2F&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&sdk=joey&send=false&show_faces=false" style="border-style: none; height: 20px; position: static; visibility: visible; width: 76px;" title="fb:like Facebook Social Plugin"></iframe></span></div> </span></span> <span class="st_plusone_buttons" displaytext="plusone" st_processed="yes" st_title="Hepatitis: WHO, experts call for more awareness" st_url="http://www.punchng.com/health/hepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness/"><div style="bottom: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 21px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 36px;">  <div id="___plusone_0" style="border-style: none; display: inline-block; float: none; height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 32px;"> <iframe data-gapiattached="true" frameborder="0" hspace="0" id="I0_1406466169660" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="I0_1406466169660" scrolling="no" src="https://apis.google.com/u/0/_/+1/fastbutton?usegapi=1&size=medium&count=false&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.punchng.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.punchng.com%2Fhealth%2Fhepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness%2F&gsrc=3p&ic=1&jsh=m%3B%2F_%2Fscs%2Fapps-static%2F_%2Fjs%2Fk%3Doz.gapi.en.cggn4pc-Hto.O%2Fm%3D__features__%2Fam%3DAQ%2Frt%3Dj%2Fd%3D1%2Ft%3Dzcms%2Frs%3DAItRSTMmsQU6fr8ZdfiRQZSjPQS4e7RmLQ#_methods=onPlusOne%2C_ready%2C_close%2C_open%2C_resizeMe%2C_renderstart%2Concircled%2Cdrefresh%2Cerefresh&id=I0_1406466169660&parent=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.punchng.com&pfname=&rpctoken=10421322" style="border-style: none; height: 20px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; position: static; top: 0px; visibility: visible; width: 32px;" tabindex="0" title="+1" vspace="0" width="100%"></iframe></div> </div> </span> <div id="print-page-link" style="display: inline; left: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; position: relative; top: 5px;"> <a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/hepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness/?print=1" id="print-link" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;"><img scale="0" src="http://www.punchng.com/wp-content/plugins/print-me/images/printme.png" style="border: none; height: 10px; width: 10px;" title="print" /></a></div> <br /></span><div class="entry-content" style="overflow: hidden;"> <div class="story-featured-image" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 15px; width: 358px;"> <img alt="A man taking hepatitis vaccination." class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="235" scale="0" src="http://www.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/A-man-taking-hepatitis-vaccination.jpg" style="border: none; float: left; margin-right: 10px; padding: 4px;" width="350" /><div class="featured-image-caption" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 5px 10px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A man taking hepatitis vaccination.<br /><small style="font-weight: normal;"><em>| credits: File cpoy</em></small></span></div> </div> <div id="nrelate_flyout_placeholder"> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hepatitis which is the inflammation of the liver has been proven by experts to be one of the deadliest diseases on earth. Many experts have even described it as deadlier than the dreaded Human Immunodeficiency Virus.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A consultant/physician, gastroenterologist, Dr. Sylvester Nwokediuko, who spoke with<em>SUNDAY PUNCH</em>, linked this opinion to the fact that the virus that causes Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Some of the reasons why hepatitis is deadlier than HIV are because the virus that causes hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV. Secondly, in terms of the magnitude of the problem, that is hepatitis, many more people have hepatitis B. it has been estimated that 20 million Nigerians have hepatitis. Thirdly, based on its natural history, hepatitis B can cause more destruction of the liver leading to liver cirrhosis and cancer. These two conditions are not easy to treat, a patient with cirrhosis would need to undergo liver transplant. Unlike hepatitis, HIV affects the immune system, and there are people who have a strong immune system. Hence, it is possible for them to carry on living their normal lives even with the virus in their system. Hepatitis generally causes more morbidity.”</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation in its 2014 fact sheets estimates that two billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus worldwide. It, however, puts the figure of those chronically infected with hepatitis C at 170 million.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Reacting to the statistics, Nwokediuko acknowledged the figures disclosing that 400 million out of the two billion, have chronic infections that require evaluation and treatment,</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He continued, “Between 600,000 to one million people worldwide will die of hepatitis B complicated related illnesses yearly. However, in Nigeria, because we have a poor record-keeping skill, it’s difficult to put a figure to the number of Nigerians that will die annually, but close to 10 per cent of deaths in teaching hospitals and the medical centres are as a result of chronic liver diseases. Hepatitis is one of the infections that cause liver disease.”</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The President, Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nigeria, Prof. Olusegun Ojo, explained that inflammation of the liver could also be caused by a viral infection.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He said, “A range of viruses can infect the liver but a peculiar group have predilection for the liver, selectively infecting it whenever they get into the human body. These viruses are referred to as the hepatotropic viruses and they are denoted by alphabets A to E in literature.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Although, certain non-hepatotropic viruses such as the yellow fever virus are capable of infecting the liver alongside other organs, they are not considered to be agents of viral hepatitis because they do not cause liver-specific disorders. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.”</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He continued: “Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms, or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.”</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, according to Nwokeduiko, any infection that lasts for more than six months becomes chronic and chronic hepatitis may lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer if untreated.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“It’s these complications that may shorten one’s life,” he warned.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With the serious nature of this disease in its various forms, it is sad that the level of awareness on its existence and causative factors are, according to Ojo, low in Nigeria.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“There is a dearth of information on hepatitis in Nigeria. There needs to be increased efforts at educating communities on prevention of spread among children (through harmful acts of native surgeries such as tribal markings, genital mutilations and so on). Vaccination is not extended to schoolchildren but new born through the pentavalent which shouldn’t be so.”</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He called on the Federal Government to put more effort in generating measures that would educate people about the infection.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“The Federal Government needs to increase the knowledge of hepatitis B among the general public. Educating the general public regarding hepatitis B, including how it is transmitted, prevented and treated, will result in more people reducing or eliminating their risk of infection. It would also improve their chances of getting screened, diagnosed and vaccinated, whatever the applicable scenario in the individual case. By raising awareness about the disease, the burden will reduce in the population over time.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“At the same time, Nigerians should take steps to determine their HBV and HCV statuses by getting screened in hospitals and medical laboratories. If negative, they should seek to be vaccinated and, if positive, they should ask to see hepatologists, specialist physicians who are knowledgeable and conversant with further testing and treatment.”</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ojo also highlighted various treatment options available for the deadly disease.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“On the treatment of hepatitis B and C, antiviral agents active against HBV exist. However, drugs active against HBV are not widely available or utilised in persons infected with HBV. HCV on the other hand is generally considered to be a curable disease but for many persons this is not a reality.”</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An online site, <em>www.dnaindia.com</em>, claims scientists have revealed that a combination drug therapy cures chronic hepatitis C in the majority of patients co-infected with both HIV and hepatitis C.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, the WHO is not treating the disease with kid gloves as it has called for intensified campaign against it. The theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day is, ‘Think Again.’</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In a statement, WHO called for an increase in awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis, its symptoms, treatment and prevention.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <strong><em style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Copyright PUNCH.</em></strong></div> <em><div style="text-align: left;"> <em style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.</em></div> </em><br /> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Contact: </strong><a href="mailto:editor@punchng.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong>editor@punchng.com</strong></a></span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> </div> </div> <div class="story-bottom" style="position: relative; text-align: center; top: -10px;"> <div class="wrap"> <div class="widget wpbr-widget" id="story-bottom"> <div class="widget-wrap"> <div class="wpbrad wpbrad-zone" id="wpbrbannerajax6a9aeddfc6"> <div class="wpbrbanner" id="wpbrbanner139" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 5px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 5px; clear: both; height: 90px; margin: 0px auto; width: 728px;"> <div class="wpbrbannerinside" style="text-align: left;"> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7167863529667065" data-ad-slot="7473145091" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="display: inline-block; height: 90px; width: 728px;"><ins style="border: none; display: inline-table; height: 90px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 728px;"><ins id="aswift_0_anchor" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: none; display: block; height: 90px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 728px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="90" hspace="0" id="aswift_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="aswift_0" scrolling="no" style="left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px;" vspace="0" width="728"></iframe></ins></ins></ins></div> </div> </div> <div class="wpbrad wpbrad-zone" id="wpbrbannerajax6aca97005c"> <div class="wpbrbanner" id="wpbrbanner452" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 5px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 5px; clear: both; height: 90px; margin: 0px auto; width: 460px;"> <div class="wpbrbannerinside" style="text-align: left;"> <span id="show_ads_450a2b2147d2c88a5d2dfa92dce1ad74_4204" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" scrolling="no" src="http://www.searchnigeria.net/adsnigeria/publisher-show-ads.php?id=4204&ht=100&r=f&blockcount=1&content_type=UTF-8&search=&title=epatitis%3A%20WHO%2C%20experts%20call%20for%20more%20awareness&desc=&ref=http//www.punchng.com/" width="486"></iframe></span></div> </div> </div> <div class="wpbrad wpbrad-zone" id="wpbrbannerajax4558dbb6f6"> <div class="wpbrbanner" id="wpbrbanner469" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 5px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 5px; clear: both; height: 60px; margin: 0px auto; width: 460px;"> <div class="wpbrbannerinside"> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://www.hmmnaija.com/okonjo-iweala-dances-to-p-squares-chop-my-money/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="color: black;">(MUST WATCH VIDEO) : Okonjo-Iweala Dances To P-Square’s ‘Chop My Money’</span></strong></a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nr_related_placeholder" data-permalink="http://www.punchng.com/health/hepatitis-who-experts-call-for-more-awareness/" data-title="Hepatitis: WHO, experts call for more awareness"> <div class="nrelate nrelate_related nr_clear nrelate_default nr_110 nr_1row widget_id_0 nr_setup" id="nrelate_related_0" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; clear: both; margin: 5px 1px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <h3 class="nr_title" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; min-height: 20px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"> <span style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); background-position: 0px 50%; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;">You may also like -</span></span></h3> <div class="nr_inner" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; clear: both; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 4px 0px; width: 638px;"> <a class="nr_panel nr_rc_link nr_link nr_internal nr_unit_1 nr_col_1 nr_row_1 nr_first_col nr_first_row nr_odd_row nr_odd_col" data-tracking-params="{"nrid":"a776f118f29fdd245d3642327d0f02a6"}" href="http://www.punchng.com/news/ebola-wont-make-us-call-off-the-strike-lagos-nma/" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent !important; box-shadow: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin: 1px; min-height: 189px; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 1px 0px; position: relative !important; text-decoration: none; width: 118px;"><span class="nr_img_div" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><img alt="Ebola wont make us  call off the strike - Lagos NMA" class="nr_img" scale="0" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/www.punchng.com/e56f8e455830e22cca0bc235d2f5c5ea_thumb_punch110x110.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; box-shadow: none !important; display: block; height: 110px !important; margin: 0px !important; outline: rgb(221, 221, 221) solid 1px; padding: 2px !important; width: auto !important;" title="Ebola wont make us  call off the strike - Lagos NMA" /></span><span class="nr_text" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; clear: left; display: block; float: left; font-weight: 700; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="nr_post_title" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ebola wont make us  call off the strike - Lagos NMA</span></span></span></span></a><a class="nr_panel nr_rc_link nr_link nr_internal nr_unit_2 nr_col_2 nr_row_1 nr_first_row nr_odd_row nr_even_col" data-tracking-params="{"nrid":"dc3e92c2ab7582ea230b8ffcc9979650"}" href="http://www.punchng.com/news/police-to-tighten-security-during-sallah-holiday/" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent !important; box-shadow: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin: 1px; min-height: 189px; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 1px 0px; position: relative !important; text-decoration: none; width: 118px;"><span class="nr_img_div" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><img alt="Police to tighten security during sallah holiday" class="nr_img" scale="0" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/www.punchng.com/be09ae5de494d072f61c648c45498e3d_thumb_Lagos-CP.-Umar-Manko.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; box-shadow: none !important; display: block; height: 110px !important; margin: 0px !important; outline: rgb(221, 221, 221) solid 1px; padding: 2px !important; width: auto !important;" title="Police to tighten security during sallah holiday" /></span><span class="nr_text" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; clear: left; display: block; float: left; font-weight: 700; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="nr_post_title" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Police to tighten security during sallah holiday</span></span></span></span></a><a class="nr_panel nr_rc_link nr_link nr_internal nr_unit_3 nr_col_3 nr_row_1 nr_first_row nr_odd_row nr_odd_col" data-tracking-params="{"nrid":"0cc7f1df424242ccb3e626a65fc7fa61"}" href="http://www.punchng.com/news/poor-funding-responsible-for-hepatitis-deaths-in-nigeria-group/" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent !important; box-shadow: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin: 1px; min-height: 189px; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 1px 0px; position: relative !important; text-decoration: none; width: 118px;"><span class="nr_img_div" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><img alt="Poor funding responsible for hepatitis deaths in Nigeria –Group" class="nr_img" scale="0" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/www.punchng.com/e56f8e455830e22cca0bc235d2f5c5ea_thumb_punch110x110.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; box-shadow: none !important; display: block; height: 110px !important; margin: 0px !important; outline: rgb(221, 221, 221) solid 1px; padding: 2px !important; width: auto !important;" title="Poor funding responsible for hepatitis deaths in Nigeria –Group" /></span><span class="nr_text" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; clear: left; display: block; float: left; font-weight: 700; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="nr_post_title" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Poor funding responsible for hepatitis deaths in Nigeria –Group</span></span></span></span></a><a class="nr_panel nr_rc_link nr_link nr_internal nr_unit_4 nr_col_4 nr_row_1 nr_first_row nr_odd_row nr_even_col" data-tracking-params="{"nrid":"b5196654ac36fc738019013e88f4da69"}" href="http://www.punchng.com/business/am-business/developing-business-goals/" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent !important; box-shadow: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin: 1px; min-height: 189px; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 1px 0px; position: relative !important; text-decoration: none; width: 118px;"><span class="nr_img_div" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><img alt="Developing business goals" class="nr_img" scale="0" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/www.punchng.com/549b9480881076980febf4fc0f168a81_thumb_Biztoon-illustration7.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; box-shadow: none !important; display: block; height: 110px !important; margin: 0px !important; outline: rgb(221, 221, 221) solid 1px; padding: 2px !important; width: auto !important;" title="Developing business goals" /></span><span class="nr_text" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; clear: left; display: block; float: left; font-weight: 700; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="nr_post_title" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Developing business goals</span></span></span></span></a><a class="nr_panel nr_rc_link nr_link nr_internal nr_unit_5 nr_col_5 nr_row_1 nr_last_col nr_first_row nr_odd_row nr_odd_col" data-tracking-params="{"nrid":"b8d4d14c4376e68b6754977be48188dc"}" href="http://www.punchng.com/health/healthwise/paracetamol-for-low-back-pain-no-better-than-placebo/" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent !important; box-shadow: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin: 1px; min-height: 189px; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 1px 0px; position: relative !important; text-decoration: none; width: 118px;"><span class="nr_img_div" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><img alt="Paracetamol for low back pain ‘no better than placebo’" class="nr_img" scale="0" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/www.punchng.com/aa1f3acdc70c64b8252280b9ac1526ea_thumb_Low-back-pain.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; -webkit-transform: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; box-shadow: none !important; display: block; height: 110px !important; margin: 0px !important; outline: rgb(221, 221, 221) solid 1px; padding: 2px !important; width: auto !important;" title="Paracetamol for low back pain ‘no better than placebo’" /></span><span class="nr_text" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; clear: left; display: block; float: left; font-weight: 700; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="nr_post_title" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Paracetamol for low back pain ‘no better than placebo’</span></span></span></span></a><div style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; -webkit-transform: none; background-position: 0px 50%; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; clear: both; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="within-story" style="border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; float: right; margin-left: 15px; padding-left: 10px; width: 640px;"> <div class="wrap story-wrap"> <div class="widget widget_sp_image" id="widget_sp_image-10"> <div class="widget-wrap"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" class="attachment-full" height="25" scale="0" src="http://www.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Latesssst.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" width="150" /></span></div> </div> <div class="widget widget_recent_entries"> <div class="widget-wrap"> <ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"> <li style="border-bottom-color: rgb(218, 218, 218); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; display: table-cell; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-right: 12px; padding: 0px 8px 6px; width: 144px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/ogun-police-deploys-4000-personnel-for-eid-el-fitri/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;" title="Ogun police deploys 4,000 personnel for Eid-el-Fitri"><span style="color: black;">Ogun police deploys 4,000 personnel for Eid-el-Fitri</span></a><span style="display: block;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; padding: 2px 4px;">13:55</span> <em style="visibility: hidden;"></em> <a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/ogun-police-deploys-4000-personnel-for-eid-el-fitri/#comments" style="text-decoration: none;" title="Comment on Ogun police deploys 4,000 personnel for Eid-el-Fitri">Comments</a></span></span></li> <li style="border-bottom-color: rgb(218, 218, 218); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; display: table-cell; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-right: 12px; padding: 0px 8px 6px; width: 144px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/israel-agrees-to-24-hour-gaza-ceasefire/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;" title="Israel agrees to 24-hour Gaza ceasefire"><span style="color: black;">Israel agrees to 24-hour Gaza ceasefire</span></a><span style="display: block;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; padding: 2px 4px;">11:30</span> <em style="visibility: hidden;"></em> <a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/israel-agrees-to-24-hour-gaza-ceasefire/#comments" style="text-decoration: none;" title="Comment on Israel agrees to 24-hour Gaza ceasefire">3 Comments</a></span></span></li> <li style="border-bottom-color: rgb(218, 218, 218); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; display: table-cell; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-right: 12px; padding: 0px 8px 6px; width: 144px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/thousands-scale-irish-holy-mountain/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;" title="Thousands scale Irish holy mountain"><span style="color: black;">Thousands scale Irish holy mountain</span></a><span style="display: block;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; padding: 2px 4px;">11:03</span> <em style="visibility: hidden;"></em> <a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/thousands-scale-irish-holy-mountain/#comments" style="text-decoration: none;" title="Comment on Thousands scale Irish holy mountain">Comments</a></span></span></li> <li style="border-bottom-color: rgb(218, 218, 218); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; display: table-cell; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-right: 12px; padding: 0px 8px 6px; width: 144px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/costa-concordia-wreck-arriving-in-genoa-for-scrapping/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;" title="Costa Concordia wreck arriving in Genoa for scrapping"><span style="color: black;">Costa Concordia wreck arriving in Genoa for scrapping</span></a><span style="display: block;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; padding: 2px 4px;">10:03</span> <em style="visibility: hidden;"></em> <a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/costa-concordia-wreck-arriving-in-genoa-for-scrapping/#comments" style="text-decoration: none;" title="Comment on Costa Concordia wreck arriving in Genoa for scrapping">Comments</a></span></span></li> <div class="navigation" style="overflow: hidden; padding: 20px 0px; width: 640px;"> <a href="http://www.punchng.com/latest" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold; padding: 5px 10px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;">More »</span></a></div> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <span data-source="http://www.punchng.com/wp-content/themes/punch/lib/counter.php?postid=247765&server=http://www.punchng.com/" id="display-counter" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Read <strong>216</strong> times</span><div id="more-category-stories" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px;"> <h4 class="widgettitle" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: url(http://www.punchng.com/wp-content/themes/punch/images/dots-horizontal.gif); background-position: 0% 100%; border-top-color: rgb(255, 1, 1) !important; border-top-style: solid !important; border-top-width: 1px !important; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 9px 4px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">More Stories in Health</span></h4> <div class="featuredpost" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 6px; padding: 0px 0px 6px; width: 204px;"> <h2 class="posttitle" style="margin: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/i-wonder-why-it-had-to-be-me-hepatitis-b-carrier/" rel="bookmark" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;" title="I wonder why it had to be me — Hepatitis B carrier"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I wonder why it had to be me — Hepatitis B carrier</span></a></h2> <span class="postmeta" style="clear: both; display: block;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">July 27th, 2014 / <a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/i-wonder-why-it-had-to-be-me-hepatitis-b-carrier/#comments" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; text-decoration: none;" title="Comment on I wonder why it had to be me — Hepatitis B carrier">Comments </a><br /><a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/i-wonder-why-it-had-to-be-me-hepatitis-b-carrier/" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; text-decoration: none;" title="I wonder why it had to be me — Hepatitis B carrier">Read Full Story</a></span></span></div> <div class="featuredpost" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 6px; padding: 0px 0px 6px; width: 204px;"> <h2 class="posttitle" style="margin: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/sickle-cell-disease-not-abating-report/" rel="bookmark" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;" title="Sickle cell disease not abating — Report"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Sickle cell disease not abating — Report</span></a></h2> <span class="postmeta" style="clear: both; display: block;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">July 23rd, 2014 / <a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/sickle-cell-disease-not-abating-report/#comments" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; text-decoration: none;" title="Comment on Sickle cell disease not abating — Report">Comments </a><br /><a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/sickle-cell-disease-not-abating-report/" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; text-decoration: none;" title="Sickle cell disease not abating — Report">Read Full Story</a></span></span></div> <div class="featuredpost" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 6px; padding: 0px 0px 6px; width: 204px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); height: 32px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 2px; width: 32px;"><img alt="Dr. Ofem Enang" class="attachment-listimage wp-post-image" height="48" scale="0" src="http://www.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Dr-Ofem-Enang-48x48.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; height: 32px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 2px; width: 32px;" width="48" /></span><h2 class="posttitle" style="margin: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/doctors-deserve-special-treatment-nma-chieftain/" rel="bookmark" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;" title="Doctors deserve special treatment –NMA chieftain"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Doctors deserve special treatment –NMA chieftain</span></a></h2> <span class="postmeta" style="clear: both; display: block;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">July 23rd, 2014 / <a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/doctors-deserve-special-treatment-nma-chieftain/#comments" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; text-decoration: none;" title="Comment on Doctors deserve special treatment –NMA chieftain">22 Comments </a><br /><a href="http://www.punchng.com/health/doctors-deserve-special-treatment-nma-chieftain/" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; text-decoration: none;" title="Doctors deserve special treatment –NMA chieftain">Read Full Story</a></span></span><div> <br /></div> </div> <div class="clear" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 0px; line-height: 19px;"> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Hepatitis: WHO, experts call for more awareness: The Virus that causes Hepatitis B is 100 times more deadly than HIV

JULY 27, 2014  BY MOTUNRAYO JOEL              A man taking hepatitis vaccination. | credits: File cpoy Hepatitis which ...

Read more »