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In tribute to our colleague Nicolas Agbikodo, who died of hepatitis on September 15, 2015, we are publishing a series of items on this disease. In this interview he gave us, Doctor Kevin AMOUSSOU, general practitioner at the Agla-Houenoussou health center in Cotonou, talks to us regarding these diseases. He reveals that vaccination is the most effective mode of prevention once morest this evil which does not yet have a drug that can destroy the virus which is the author.
The Specific Event: Hepatitis B and C, what is it?
Doctor Kevin Amoussou: Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver due to infection by a virus. In fact, when the virus enters the body, it lodges in the liver cells (hepatocytes) and the immune system destroys the infected cells, which causes inflammation of the liver. The viruses that cause hepatitis are numerous, but those that cause the most worrying complications are the hepatitis B and C viruses.
How do you get these infections?
Who speaks of infections also speaks of transmission. In both cases, the virus is transmitted by almost the same routes as HIV. In other words, it can be transmitted by blood when you are in contact with sharp objects or prickly objects which have been in contact with the blood of an infected person. The disease can also be contracted sexually, if the subject comes into contact with sexual secretions carrying the virus. The third most important route of transmission for hepatitis B and C is mother-to-child transmission.
How do these diseases manifest?
Hepatitis B and C infection most often occurs asymptomatically, that is to say without any particular symptoms. However, it is possible to have symptoms of liver inflammation such as fever, tiredness nausea, vomiting and jaundice (jaundice). In rare cases, one may have a loud expression of illness. We speak of fulminant hepatitis with serious symptoms that can lead to rapid death in an array of liver failure followed by failure of all organs. Once the virus is contracted, there are two evolutionary modalities. Either the virus has been eliminated by the body quickly. This is an acute development. In the second case, there is a chronic course. That is, the body has failed to get rid of the virus. The latter will remain dormant and multiply over several years. Since the disease is detected only following several years, the virulent element causes complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
What treatments are used to treat this hepatitis?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment for hepatitis B. But we have antivirals that will slow the multiplication of the virus and therefore slow the progression of the disease towards complications. For hepatitis C, there are innovative treatments that can reverse the chronic course.
Hepatitis B therefore cannot be cured definitively, is that correct?
Yes. Once contracted, it is an intrinsic part of the patient’s life. But fortunately thanks to medication and antivirals they can live normally.
How does society view these people?
Unfortunately, these people can be marginalized because of the risk of contagion. They don’t like to talk regarding it. It is a disease that is stigmatized, certainly not as much as HIV. The ideas conveyed by society advising not to bring the patient closer to other people, such as during meals in common and others, isolate the affected subjects. In this case, remember that transmission through the saliva is rare and the measures to be taken to prevent it are to avoid oral sex and toothbrush sharing. This does not in any way mean that the person with hepatitis should be excluded from life in society. Unfortunately, we notice the opposite.
So what should be done to not catch it?
The most effective means of prevention once morest hepatitis B is vaccination. Health workers also make it a point of honor to perform liver tests on pregnant women so that they can be taken care of quickly. And the vaccination of newborns once morest the hepatitis B virus is now compulsory at birth. It is therefore advisable to get tested to either get vaccinated quickly or start the appropriate treatment, in time. For the rest, the same prevention measures should be applied as for HIV, i.e. abstinence, being faithful to a partner, using a condom, respecting safety rules when the use of needles and other prickly and sharp objects….
Is there a social class more prone to hepatitis than another?
The social class that is the most vulnerable is that of people in precarious situations, because in addition to being the least vaccinated, they have less access to healthcare structures due to a lack of means. They therefore do not receive adequate care in time: the disease has had time to develop into complications.
So as a doctor what would you advise our readers?
Although not disabling, hepatitis B is a disease that for the moment cannot be cured. So get tested. If you are not affected, vaccinate yourself. If unfortunately you are already contaminated, go quickly to consult a doctor to receive adequate treatment to avoid the risk of complications.
Interview conducted by Emmanuella DAN
