HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION: THE SILENT KILLER

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a DNA virus of the family hepadnadiviridae is the causative agent of hepatitis B infection. It is 50-100 times more infectious than the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 10 times more infectious than hepatitis C virus (HCV) with many carriers not knowing that they are infected with the infection thus called the “Silent killer”. The virus is transmitted horizontally, through unprotected sex, sharing of contaminated sharp objects, from mother to child during delivery, blood transfusion. Treatment of patients with hepatitis B virus is supportive and directed at allowing hepatocellular damaged cells to resolve and repair themselves. The virus can be prevented through public health awarenessprogrammes which should be championed by relevant agencies for people to be aware of the infection, and also the need for one to know his/her hepatitis B virus status.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a DNA virus of the family hepadnaviridae, is the causative agent of hepatitis B infection (Pungpaponget al., 2007). It is 50 – 100 times more infectious than the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 10 times more infectious than hepatitis C virus (HCV) with many carriers not realizing that they are infected with the virus thus referred to as the “silent killer“(Samuel et al., 2004).

The minimum infections dose is so low that such practice like sharing a tooth brush or razor blades can transmit infections (Chang, 2008). HBV also shares similar routes of transmission with human immune deficiency virus (HIV) (Willey et al., 2008). The virus has been detected in peripheral mononuclear cells, tissues of the pancreas, spleen, kidney, and skin and fluids like saliva, semen, sweat, breast milk, tears, urine and vaginal secretions (Chen et al., 2008).

Approximately 350 million people are infected with HBV worldwide (Lin and Hon, 2006).

Hepatitis B is commonly transmitted through sex, contact with blood, or via childbirth. Hepatitis B virus infection leads to serious chronic disease in about 5 – 10% of people it infects. HBV slowly damages liver and can lead to liver failure and liver cancer. People with chronic HBV usually cannot be treated. Vaccination against HBV is available and recommended for people at the risk of infection. This serves as prophylaxis against the disease.

1.1     STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Some viral infections have been properly managed, but hepatitis B virus which is likely to cause chronic long-term illness and permanent damage to the liver if not properly managed or treated, has been partially neglected in some areas or parts of the world.The major problem is the fact that people live with the virus unknowingly until it develops into liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. This is because effective public health policy and awareness campaign for the need to know one’s hepatitis status is lacking. Are people even aware of this hepatitis B virus? How can it be transmitted? What are the signs, symptoms and prevention and control?

 1.2     AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine the Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Students of Federal Polytechnic,Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

1.3     OBJECTIVE

i. To determine the sero prevalence of HBV infection among students of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa.

ii. To investigate some risk factors associated with the viral infection among the students.

1.4     JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

This study will contribute greatly to the healthy living and create hepatitis B-free among pregnant women by giving proper orientation and enlightens the pregnant women in Nasarawa and its environ. It will help to proffer solutions to the problems associated with the mode of transmission, clinical features, prevention and control of hepatitis B virus infection. It will serve as a reference material for subsequence research; the finding and recommendation will be a source of useful information to the people. Public Health awareness agencies on Hepatitis B virus infection.

1.5     SCOPE OF THE STUDY                  

This project work is concerned with the study of hepatitis B virus infection

Among pregnant women.

 1.6     LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Due to lack of proper orientation and awareness campaign,the co-operation of the public becomes a major challenge.Morealso,considering the happenings in the society today,it becomes difficult fo the public to entrust their blood in the hand of a stranger and finally,time constraints becomes a mojor setback.

 1.7     DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Hepatitis B Virus: A liver inflammation disease caused by a DNA virus of the family Hepadnadrividea.
2. Prophylaxis: Any preventive measures taking in order not to contact infection. It could be by vaccination or avoiding contact with contaminated samples.
3. Reverse Transcriptase: The process whereby the virus produce or synthesis it’s viral DNA from the RNA. This help the virus to insert it’s viral particles in to the host cells.
4. HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface Antigen. The HBsAg Detector is use to test either one is positive or negative of the virus infection.
5. Vaccines: Drugs or injection taking to prevent one from contacting virus and other diseases. These are artificial immunity against virus .
6. Antepatum:care or check up giving to a pregnant woman.
7. Alanine Amino Transferase: this is an enzyme in the body that help in the transamination of amino acids in the body. Measurement of this enzyme is what clinicians use in detection and study of hepatitis B virus infection. (Oxford Medical Dictionary, 2010).

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