Plain-language guides to the liver conditions we see most often in Nigeria.
Hepatitis BHepatitis CFatty liver disease (MASLD)Alcohol-related liver diseaseCirrhosisLiver cancer
Hepatitis B
A virus that infects the liver. It is the most common cause of serious liver disease in Nigeria, and many people who carry it do not know.
- How it spreads
- Through blood and body fluids: from mother to baby at birth, unscreened blood, shared razors, needles and other sharp objects, and unprotected sex. It does not spread through sharing food, shaking hands or hugging.
- How you find out
- A blood test called HBsAg. Many laboratories and hospitals give the result the same day.
- Prevention
- A safe vaccine. Babies should receive the first dose as soon as possible after birth. Adults who test negative can be vaccinated too.
- Treatment
- There is no cure yet, but daily tablets can keep the virus under control. Not everyone needs medicine, but everyone with hepatitis B needs regular check-ups for life.
Hepatitis C
A virus that slowly damages the liver over many years, usually without symptoms.
- How it spreads
- Mainly through blood: unsafe injections, unscreened blood transfusions and shared sharp objects.
- How you find out
- An antibody blood test, followed by a second test that confirms whether the virus is still in the body.
- Prevention
- There is no vaccine. Protection comes from screened blood, sterile needles and not sharing sharp objects.
- Treatment
- Hepatitis C can be cured. A course of tablets taken for two to three months clears the virus in more than nine out of ten people.
Fatty liver disease (MASLD)
A build-up of fat in the liver linked to body weight and metabolic health. Its full name is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and it was previously called NAFLD.
- Who is at risk
- People living with excess weight, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
- How you find out
- It is usually silent. It is often first noticed on a liver blood test or an ultrasound scan.
- Why it matters
- In some people the fat causes inflammation and scarring, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- Treatment
- Gradual weight loss, regular physical activity, a balanced diet and good control of diabetes and blood pressure can reduce liver fat and may reverse early damage.
Alcohol-related liver disease
Liver damage caused by drinking too much alcohol over time. It ranges from fatty liver to hepatitis and cirrhosis.
- Who is at risk
- Anyone who drinks heavily or regularly. The risk is higher for people who also have hepatitis or fatty liver disease.
- How you find out
- Blood tests and a scan, together with an honest conversation with a doctor about how much you drink.
- Treatment
- Stopping alcohol is the most important step. Early damage can heal once drinking stops, and support is available for people who find stopping hard.
Cirrhosis
Permanent scarring of the liver after years of damage from hepatitis, alcohol, fatty liver disease or other causes.
- Warning signs
- Yellow eyes or skin, a swollen belly or legs, vomiting blood, black stools, confusion or unusual sleepiness. These need urgent medical care.
- How you find out
- Blood tests and scans. Sometimes a special scan that measures liver stiffness, or a biopsy, is needed.
- Treatment
- Treating the cause can slow or stop further scarring. People with cirrhosis need regular specialist follow-up, including checks for liver cancer.
Liver cancer
Cancer that starts in the liver. Most cases develop in people who already have long-term hepatitis B or C, or cirrhosis.
- Who is at risk
- People with chronic hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis from any cause, or long exposure to aflatoxin, a poison made by mould on badly stored grains and groundnuts.
- How you find out
- It often causes no symptoms early on. People at risk should have an ultrasound scan of the liver every six months.
- Prevention
- Hepatitis B vaccination, testing and treatment for hepatitis, limiting alcohol, and keeping grains and groundnuts dry and well stored.
- Treatment
- Options depend on how early the cancer is found. Found early, it can sometimes be removed or destroyed, which is why regular checks matter.
This page gives general health information. It does not replace advice from a doctor who knows your history. If you are worried about your liver, see how we can help.
