Hepatitis B causes more damage than HIV infection (expert)

Dakar, July 29 (APS) – The complications of chronic hepatitis B infection cause more damage than HIV infection in Senegal, said Saturday Dr. Mamadou Guèye, a hepato- gastroenterologist with Grand-Yoff General Hospital.

"Currently, complications from chronic hepatitis B infection cause more damage than HIV infection. In health facilities, the figures are very high on cases of death related to the complications of hepatitis B, including cancer of the liver, '' said Dr. Guèye.

The teacher-researcher at the faculty of Medicine University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) was doing on a communication on the theme of the World Day against Hepatitis '' Take action against viral hepatitis, detect and treat '', celebrated this July 28 around the world. In addition to this conference, this day was commemorated by the association "Safaara Hepatitis", through mass screening of hepatitis B at Bayé square of Ouakam for the populations.

Returning on the disease, The speaker emphasized that "it is an infection that affects the liver, an important organ that serves as a filter for the body." He believes that "it is important to prevent these complications through screening, because unfortunately this is most often the case with young people. "

" This is an unknown disease with late diagnosis delays, which come at an advanced stage and all this can be prevented by screening ", he said. He added, "Hepatitis B is a global scourge, and Senegal is one of the most endemic countries." He states that "according to the figures of the National Program against Hepatitis, the prevalence is estimated at 10%." That is to say that "one in ten Senegal is chronic carrier of the antigen and therefore is infected with hepatitis B '

' 'It is important to inform people, to sensitize them about the screening, so that we can know the status and take care of them in case of infection before that these complications, which can be dramatic, do not appear, "he said, adding that" according to the WHO, countries with a prevalence of more than 8%, like most Sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia are endemic countries. "

For the president of the association" Safaara Hepatitis ", Ibrahima Guèye," this celebration is a way of involving all the country's municipalities to develop awareness Community-based hepatitis B disease. "

" At present, there are even discrepancies in numbers. We believe that if we want to have a program with results, we must review things, "said the president of Safara Hepatitis.