Ismail, Nigeria: #ICantWait for a World Without Stigma

Ismail: #ICantWait for a World Without Stigma

Ismail is one of almost 300 million people with hepatitis B. He found out that he had hepatitis B when he got a required medical test. Thankfully at the time his hepatitis B was diagnosed it was found that his liver was normal and the infection was inactive.

When he was searching to go to university over seas he discovered that many institutions don’t allow applicants with hepatitis B to attend. Thankfully, in some cases he was still able to attend because his infection was inactive. He is upset that many people believe that you can spread hepatitis B simply by eating together or being close together. Ismail wants people to know that if you want to get married you have to screen your partner and if your partner don’t have it there is a safe vaccine to protect them. You should also vaccinate your children. He also urges people with hepatitis B to get liver function tests regularly and make sure they have a doctor monitor the progress of the disease. With proper medical care, this is not a deadly disease.

Facts:

Many people don’t know they are infected with hepatitis B. 297 million people live with hepatitis B including 20 million Nigerians.

Hepatitis B is spread through direct contact with blood or sexual fluids. The most common method of infection is from a mother to their child during birth.

Hepatitis B is NOT spread through food, sneezing or coughing, holding hands, water, breastfeeding, hugging, or kissing.

People living with hepatitis B can live a normal life. Seeing the doctor regularly, avoiding alcohol and tobacco and maintaining a well-balanced diet can help.

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is with the hepatitis B vaccine.