Do you know that every year, around 1.4 million people die from viral hepatitis, which is more than the number of deaths caused by HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis combined?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 325 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or C.
Avon Medical is marking World Hepatitis Day, on July 28th to recognize the urgent need to prevent, diagnose, and treat hepatitis. World Hepatitis Day is globally celebrated annually to raise awareness about viral hepatitis. The theme for 2023 this year, is “Hepatitis Can’t Wait.”
Dr Kolawole Taofik, Senior Medical Officer at Avon Medical, commented, “There are a lot of people living with hepatitis and they are not aware. While hepatitis can be a serious condition, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Avoid sharing personal care items, only receive medical treatment from reputable sources, practice safe sex, and get vaccinated. By taking these steps, you can reduce your risk of contracting hepatitis and protect your liver health.”
While many people think that hepatitis is only spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, there are many unexpected ways that one can get hepatitis. Here are some most surprising ways to look out for:
- Getting a tattoo or piercing: If the needles and other equipment are not properly sterilized, you can contract hepatitis B or C from getting a tattoo or piercing.
- Using contaminated needles: If one uses needles to inject drugs, one can contract hepatitis B or C if the needles are contaminated with infected blood.
- Eating contaminated food: Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. One can contract hepatitis A by eating food that has been contaminated by an infected person who did not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom.
- Having unprotected sex: Hepatitis B and C can be spread through unprotected sexual intercourse. This is because these viruses can be found in semen and vaginal fluids.
- Sharing personal care items: Sharing personal care items like razors, toothbrushes, and nail clippers can put one at risk for hepatitis. This is because these items can come into contact with infected blood and bodily fluids.
- Using illegal drugs: If one uses illegal drugs, it places them at risk for contracting hepatitis B or C if they share needles or other drug paraphernalia with someone who is infected.
Our Ag. CEO Dr Akinbiyi Oke commented: At Avon Medical, we believe in taking care of our patient’s total well-being. That’s why we have chosen to offer discounts on our hepatitis tests and vaccines to encourage all our patients to get tested and vaccinated. You can get the tests and vaccine at our main hospital in Surulere; Avon Medical, 8, Adedamola Ojomo Close, Off Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos or at Avon Dialysis Centre, 10 Sobo Arobiodu Street, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos.”
To book an appointment to get the hepatitis test and vaccine, kindly click on this link: https://bit.ly/AVONHEP2023
For inquiries, kindly send an email to info@avonmedical.com, visit our website, www.avonmedical.com or call these numbers; (+234-908-799-4655 or (+234)-908-799-4656.
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