“Yes, that’s wise. It will be good if you all get tested and we can arrange
that for you.”
”Meanwhile if someone has a bloodborne virus like HIV, it is good medical
practice to check for other bloodborne viruses like hepatitis as these can
sometimes go together because they can be passed on in similar ways.”
”Hepatitis?’ Nma frowned “Isn’t that a liver problem?”
”Yes it is. It can be…..’
”That’s what grandma had when her eyes were all yellow,” Aka interjected. Nma
nodded.
”Yes, hepatitis can cause jaundice which is what makes the eye appear yellow.
There are different types: You can get hepatitis A from contaminated food, That’s
not a big problem but the ones we worry about are Hepatitis B and C. These can be
acquired by using unsterilised needles, sexual intercourse, using unscreened
blood or blood products…
”I had a blood transfusion after I gave birth to Aka…so I might have this
hepatitis too?” Nma started crying again.
”Hei, dont think like that,” I chided. ”We need to do a blood test to find out
first. No need worrying yourself to death about something you might not have.”
”Mum please take it easy,” Aka pleaded.
”We don’t have to do it immediately if you would rather take some time to think
about it.”
Nma looked blankly ahead.
”Doctor, lets sort out the HIV first and maybe do the hepatitis later,” Aka
said.
”Fine,” I handed her some information leaflets on hepatitis.
”So how do we get rid of mum’s HIV?” she asked.
To be continued. Remember to subscribe by email so you dont miss the rest of the story.
How are you coping with HIV? Do you have Hepatits B or C and would like to encourage others with your story? Please get in touch here
