An expert on Family Medicine, Dr Esther Bankole, has warned homosexuals and those practising oral sex of the dangers of contracting hepatitis.
Bankole, a staff of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), gave the warning on recently at the Lenten season programme organised by the wife of the state’s governor, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed.
She said those at risk were people with unusual sexual orientation such as homosexuals, those practising oral sex and the sexually promiscuous.
Bankole, who described hepatitis as the inflammation of the liver tissue, said it may also be caused by toxins, drugs, radiation or a virus.
The disease, she said, was commonly spread through viral infection, with Hepatitis `A’ and `E’ contracted through food or fluid intake while Hepatitis `B’, `C’, `D’ and `G’ were contracted through blood.
According to her, food handlers with poor hygiene, homosexuals, those practicing oral and anal sex and travelers from endemic areas were host to the disease.
“Many don’t show symptoms of the disease. However, incubation periods are from two to six weeks while symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice as well as enlargement of the liver and the spleen,” she said.
Bankole recommended re-orientation and counseling on sex, sanitation and provision of safe drinking water in curbing the disease.
She also recommended giving antibodies or vaccines to people while sufferers should be quarantined in hospitals to prevent further transmission of the disease. (NAN)
