Viral hepatitis. Hepatitis - inflammatory diseases of the liver. What are the differences between types of hepatitis?
One of the most dangerous diseases of internal organs is hepatitis. It is an inflammatory process that develops in the liver parenchyma. Currently, different types and genotypes of hepatitis have been discovered.
Types of hepatitis
Hepatitis is a fairly common disease. Hepatitis can be acute, chronic, focal, diffuse, infectious, toxic. Worldwide, more than 3 billion people are infected with this virus.
Acute viral hepatitis
One of the most dangerous conditions is acute viral hepatitis, which is characterized by inflammation and necrosis of liver tissue. This pathological condition is caused by a variety of viruses. They are often transmitted through food and water. The development of the disease is also facilitated by the presence of dirty hands, but sometimes viruses can penetrate through the air. Another group can enter the body parenterally.
Let's consider the types of acute viral hepatitis, it can be caused by:
Focal hepatitis is an abscess that affects the liver in some part of it. Among other things, it can develop in syphilitic gummas, solitary tubercles.
Diffuse hepatitis with predominant damage to the parenchyma of a significant part or all of the liver tissue includes infectious hepatitis. The disease can develop with pneumonia, scarlet fever. It can lead to hepatitis if poisoning occurs with vapors of phosphorus, mercury, benzene, arsenic, lead and some others. According to the clinical picture, industrial hepatitis does not differ significantly from other forms of the disease.
With diffuse hepatitis, not only parenchymal, but also mesenchymal (interstitial) structures are significantly damaged, especially when malarial and brucellosis symptomatic signs appear.
If the doctor established the presence of toxic hepatitis, then this occurred as a result of industrial, alcohol, drug and food poisoning.
Methods of infection
Airborne route of infection
Currently, doctors identify several methods of infection:
- airborne;
- fecal-oral;
- through blood;
- intrauterine.
The infection quite often enters the body through airborne droplets. This is possible when communicating with a sick person, sneezing. Pathogenic bacteria quickly penetrate the body, and inflammation soon appears, leading to the development of the disease. Family members of the infected person and people who are in the same group with the patient often become ill.
The second most common route of penetration of pathogenic bacteria is fecal-oral infection. The virus is excreted by a sick person in the feces. The bacterium then gets into food and water, and with it it can infect a healthy person. A pathogenic microorganism can be transmitted if sanitary and hygienic standards are not observed.
In addition, pathogenic bacteria can exist for a long time inside the water supply. Typically, hepatitis A and E groups develop in this way. In this case, the patient may be a carrier of the infection, but he himself may not be actively ill. He may be diagnosed by chance during a medical examination.
Human infection occurs through contact with infected blood. Typically, a viral microorganism infects a patient during a blood transfusion. You can contract the disease if you share the same needle - this is typical for drug addicts who inject with the same syringe.
A pathological virus can also penetrate the body through sexual contact. Typically, a similar phenomenon is observed when one of the partners has hepatitis type B.
Quite rarely, the infection can be transmitted from mother to child during its intrauterine development. The presence of an active form of the virus in a woman increases the risk. In addition, infection can occur if the patient suffered an acute form of hepatitis in the last stage of pregnancy. In this case, a cesarean section is indicated, which will help prevent the risk of infection.
Factors in the development of the disease can include tattooing, acupuncture, and ear piercing if the artist uses unsterile instruments. Very often the source of infection is difficult to identify.
Hepatitis is a very dangerous disease. To prevent its development, it is necessary to follow the rules of personal hygiene, do not eat unwashed vegetables and fruits, and drink only boiled water. There are many ways of infection, but to prevent the disease, a person must undergo a medical examination every year. Children under 18 years of age should have their Mantoux test checked regularly. Early detection of pathology contributes to its speedy elimination.
What types of hepatitis exist, what are their causes and consequences? This disease leads to impaired liver function, and this has an extremely negative impact on health. Some forms are fatal. Treatment depends entirely on which form is diagnosed. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion, you should immediately contact a specialist for examination and subsequent treatment. Hepatitis is a disease that absolutely cannot be neglected, as it is life-threatening.
What role does the liver perform?
The liver is one of the important organs of our body. She is responsible for performing the following functions:
- Proteins, fats, and vitamins, which are so necessary for any organism, are processed.
- The synthesis of proteins, including albumin, occurs with the participation of the liver.
- Bile, which is necessary for the digestion of fats, is produced by this organ, although it is stored in the gallbladder.
- All toxic substances, poisons, drugs, nicotine, alcohol are eliminated through the liver. She takes the brunt of the blow, protecting the body from their negative influence.
Viral hepatitis
All viral hepatitis is caused by viruses. Those, in turn, affect the liver and begin to actively develop, destroying the organ. Today, the types of hepatitis are designated by Latin letters from A to D. The most common are 3 forms: A, B, C. They differ in the complexity of the disease, the routes of infection are different.
Forms D and E are rarer. The first type is usually chronic, it develops against the background of hepatitis B. During diagnosis, a specialist can immediately detect both of these types. Hepatitis E is an acute form of the disease; infection usually occurs through the use of contaminated water and food.
The origin of the viruses that cause liver damage is currently unclear. Scientists have not yet fully determined the mechanism of development of the disease. Some researchers believe that after the virus penetrates the tissue, inflammation and damage to individual areas occur. Other scientists believe that the virus multiplies in liver tissue and attaches to cells like enzymes and proteins. Reproduction and infection occurs in various ways, most often with blood and other body fluids.
Non-viral hepatitis
The classification of hepatitis includes a large group of non-viral diseases:
- Autoimmune is a rare chronic form, the cause of which has not yet been precisely elucidated. Develops against the background of other autoimmune diseases or on its own, and there is a disruption in the functioning of the body’s general immune system.
- The alcoholic form is quite common today. Approximately 20% of alcoholics and drinkers are diagnosed with this disease. The age of the patients is 40-60 years, severe liver damage, cirrhosis, and disruption of the body are observed.
- The fatty non-alcoholic form is diagnosed in approximately 10-24% of the population. The conditions for its occurrence are different; the symptoms of the disease are similar to those of the disease, but it occurs for different reasons. Most often, the risk group includes patients with severe obesity; the disease progresses slowly, but if left untreated, leads to cirrhosis and tumor formation.
- is a form that develops against the background of taking various medications, i.e. is a complication. Today, many drugs that are prescribed for treatment can cause this disease, especially when drinking alcohol.
- is a consequence of damage from plant and chemical toxins, industrial products, and poisonous mushrooms.
Hepatitis A and transmission routes
Hepatitis A is considered the simplest; it is not as difficult to treat as the others. The virus is excreted in feces; transmission routes include contaminated water and food. This form can only be transmitted between people if food is prepared with unwashed hands. For prevention purposes, you should wash your hands regularly, do not eat dirty vegetables and fruits, and do not drink water in unfamiliar places.
Ways of infection with hepatitis A:
- unprotected oral-anal sexual intercourse;
- water, food contaminated with a virus;
- dirty hands.
What are the symptoms of this form? Usually the signs are mild and difficult to detect in children; you should consult a doctor. They appear approximately 2-6 weeks from the onset of infection. In adults, fatigue, nausea, severe itching, yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, and fever are observed. Such signs can be observed within 2 months.
The urine usually becomes too dark and the stool becomes a chalky, light gray color.
If these symptoms occur, you should immediately contact for examination, after which the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment. It is impossible to delay treatment, as this can have a detrimental effect on your overall health.
Hepatitis B and methods of transmission
The virus is transmitted through the blood of an infected person, semen, or vaginal discharge. Methods of infection can be the following:
Hepatitis B itself is classified into acute and chronic. The symptoms of the acute form are mild; most patients do not even know what kind of disease is being observed. Most often, obvious signs are detected at 6 weeks or 6 months, they strongly resemble the flu.
The patient may not pay due attention to them, since fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, pain in the joints and muscles are signs of many other, less dangerous diseases. A doctor is usually consulted when the skin acquires a characteristic yellowish tint and the urine becomes dark.
The symptoms are reminiscent of acute; in many patients it lasts for decades, without any symptoms. But there is liver damage, which negatively affects life activity and treatment prognosis.
Hepatitis C and risk areas
It is considered one of the most dangerous. This is a viral form that is transmitted through blood from an infected person. Most patients become infected through hygiene items (razor blades, toothbrushes), syringe needles. Babies can become infected through the milk of a mother who is already infected with this form of the disease.
The following categories of patients are at risk:
- Drug users and those who have previously used such substances. It is recommended to undergo regular examination to rule out the presence of such a disease at the moment.
- Patients who received a blood transfusion or an organ transplant before 1992.
- People who were born in the period 1945-1964. It is middle-aged patients who are most susceptible to this disease, so experts recommend undergoing one-time testing for infection. Many people do not seek diagnosis in time and do not pay attention to the onset of symptoms, considering them a sign of simple malaise.
- Patients who received special drugs to increase blood clotting before 1987.
- All patients with various liver diseases taking medications that negatively affect its general condition. Side effects can occur with many medications and should be taken into account carefully.
- Health care workers are often exposed to this form of hepatitis. They are recommended to have an annual examination, which is carried out not only to identify signs of such pathology, but also to prevent other diseases.
- Infected with HIV.
- Children whose mothers are infected with hepatitis C.
- People who did piercings and tattoos using the instrumental method.
Hepatitis can take different forms, but if you detect the slightest signs of such a disease, you should immediately consult a doctor. Diseases can be viral or non-viral; the routes of infection differ. Patients belonging to these risk groups are recommended to undergo regular examinations in order to begin treatment on time.
Hepatitis is a group of acute and chronic diffuse, i.e. affecting the entire organ, inflammatory liver diseases, having various causes and conditions of occurrence.
Regardless of the etiology of inflammation, all types of hepatitis are characterized by jaundice of the skin and therefore are popularly called “jaundice.”
Today, hepatitis has a high prevalence, and every year the number of cases of difficult-to-treat disease increases. The prognosis of the disease depends on the form of hepatitis and the stage of its course.
General symptoms of hepatitis
Jaundice appears with hepatitis as a result of the release of bilirubin enzyme, which is not processed in the liver, into the blood. But cases of absence of this symptom in hepatitis are not uncommon.
Typically, hepatitis in the initial period of the disease exhibits flu-like symptoms. In this case, there is an increase in temperature, body aches, headache and general malaise.
As a result of the inflammatory process, the patient’s liver enlarges and its membrane stretches; at the same time, a pathological process may occur in the gallbladder and pancreas. All this is accompanied by pain in the right hypochondrium. The pain often lasts for a long time, aching or dull in nature. But they can be sharp, intense, paroxysmal and radiate to the right shoulder blade or shoulder.
Types of hepatitis and methods of infection
Depending on the cause of occurrence, viral hepatitis is determined (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), toxic (alcoholic, medicinal and resulting from chemical poisoning), radiation and autoimmune.
The most common viral forms encountered in medical practice are caused by parenteral hepatitis viruses. Infection occurs when parenteral hepatitis viruses penetrate through broken or damaged mucous membranes or skin of a person during contact with infected blood or other biological fluids of a sick person.
Parenteral hepatitis viruses are extremely stable and can survive at room temperature for up to 6 months, and at sub-zero temperatures for up to 15-25 years.
The causes of toxic hepatitis depend on the use of certain medications and alcohol dependence.
The most common causes of toxic hepatitis are drugs such as methyldopa, halothane, ketoconazole, ibuprofen, indomethacin, hormonal contraceptives, tetracycline antibiotics, and some anti-tuberculosis drugs.
Almost any medication can cause liver damage, depending on the individual characteristics of the person. The causes of severe toxic hepatitis can be paracetamol, industrial poisons, toadstool venom and other drugs.
Alcohol addiction leads to severe liver damage and hepatitis often spreads to the liver.
Autoimmune hepatitis develops when the immune system is disrupted, and is more common in women.
Often, autoimmune hepatitis involves the thyroid, pancreas and salivary glands.
Radiation hepatitis is a component of radiation sickness.
The types of hepatitis and methods of infection are very similar in symptoms and the possibility of penetration into the human body.
Viral hepatitis
Viral hepatitis is the most widespread.
The causes of viral hepatitis are different, but there is a tendency for the incidence to increase due to the increase in promiscuity, the liberalization of same-sex relationships and the decline in the quality of medical care.
The least dangerous and most common viral hepatitis belongs to group A.
The incubation period for its development ranges from 7 days to 2 months. Infection with hepatitis A occurs through the use of dirty or poor-quality foods in the diet, contact with the patient’s belongings, and failure to comply with hygiene rules. Often patients recover spontaneously, but to relieve the intensity of liver damage, drug treatment with droppers is necessary.
Hepatitis B or serum hepatitis is a dangerous form of the disease, accompanied by an enlarged spleen and liver, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and severe liver damage.
Infection with serum hepatitis usually occurs through blood, or through injections with poor sanitation or during sexual intercourse. You can become infected from patients with chronic or acute forms of hepatitis, as well as from virus carriers.
With serum hepatitis, the incubation period ranges from 50 to 180 days. Even after recovery, the virus remains in the human body for several months.
There is a highly effective vaccine against hepatitis B that can reduce the incidence of the disease.
Hepatitis C is the most severe form of the disease, leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer, which usually results in the death of the patient. The incubation period can last from 60 to 160 days.
Infection occurs through blood transfusion, plasma, serum, medical instrumental interventions, sexual contact, and is transmitted to the child from an infected mother.
The incidence of hepatitis C around the world is constantly increasing and therefore, to prevent infection, it is necessary to constantly conduct visual campaigning among the population and establish strict control over compliance with sanitary rules during blood transfusions, as well as over the quality of donor blood.
Hepatitis C is also dangerous because it is usually accompanied by other types of viral hepatitis. There is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C.
Hepatitis D develops only in the presence of the hepatitis B virus in the liver and is characterized by massive liver damage and an acute course. People become infected with hepatitis D when the virus enters the blood directly from a virus carrier or a sick person. The incubation period for this type of hepatitis ranges from 20 to 50 days. The clinical picture is similar to hepatitis B, but its course is more severe. The disease often becomes chronic, often degenerating into cirrhosis of the liver.
The vaccination used is the same as for hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E is not very different in symptoms from hepatitis A, but the severe course of the disease often leads to damage to the kidneys. Hepatitis E is treated effectively and the prognosis is always favorable. The exception is pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy, in which case there is an almost 100% risk of losing the child.
Acute and chronic forms of hepatitis
For all types of viral hepatitis, an acute course of the disease is typical. In this case, there is a significant deterioration in health, the development of jaundice, significant intoxication, decreased liver function, and the amount of bilirubin and transaminases in the blood increases.
Timely detection and effective treatment of acute hepatitis usually results in the patient's recovery. If the illness lasts more than six months, a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis is established.
Chronic hepatitis entails serious disorders in the body - an enlargement of the spleen and liver occurs, metabolic disorders occur, and asthenovegetative disorders occur. This form of hepatitis is often complicated by liver cirrhosis and cancer.
With reduced immunity, inadequate treatment or alcohol dependence, the chronic form of hepatitis poses a serious threat to human life.
Clinical development of infection
The severity of hepatitis symptoms depends on the type of infection. Hepatitis A occurs quickly, its symptoms are pronounced and progress quickly, within several hours.
Symptoms of hepatitis B and C in the initial period appear sluggishly and only after a few days are expressed by darkening of urine, nausea, vomiting and other signs. Usually, after the skin turns yellow, the patient's condition begins to improve. But with hepatitis C there are no improvements, because liver tissue necrosis becomes chronic.
Sometimes hepatitis can develop at lightning speed and in this case it becomes severe. The patient experiences a clear manifestation of symptoms and tissue death. The fulminant form of hepatitis is often fatal.
Chronic hepatitis has sluggish and inconsistent signs of the disease and many patients do not pay attention to them.
This is a false approach to the disease. If you experience symptoms such as malaise, nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, muscles, joints and dark urine, you should urgently seek medical help. In addition, chronic hepatitis may be accompanied by weight loss, itching and bleeding. All this indicates liver problems and requires immediate treatment.
Consequences of hepatitis
Complications of acute and chronic hepatitis can include inflammation of the biliary tract, hepatic coma, usually ending in death, and cirrhosis of the liver.
Hepatitis B often leads to cirrhosis. Its consequences can be liver disease, ascites and bleeding caused by dilation of blood vessels.
The most severe complications are caused by chronic hepatitis C. Seeking medical help for chronic hepatitis C is necessary because At the moment, there are no effective methods of treating it, but medicine can still prolong a person’s life.
General principles of treatment of viral hepatitis
Treatment of viral hepatitis is based on basic therapy using drugs that enhance metabolic processes, antiviral therapy with recombinant interferon alpha.
Vitamin therapy and drinking plenty of fluids are used in the treatment of hepatitis. In case of acute intoxication, parenteral infusion therapy is performed.
Patients with the fulminant form of hepatitis are given intensive therapy to reduce the risk of developing renal failure.
Individual treatment methods for each patient depend on the type of hepatitis and the method of infection.
Treatment with folk remedies for chronic hepatitis
The biological characteristics of plants have long been used in folk remedies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis.
Plants with antiviral properties are used in treatment - eucalyptus, celandine, knotweed, calendula and other plants with these qualities.
Plants containing polysaccharides are useful. These include Kalanchoe, white cabbage, aloe, coltsfoot, arnica, plantain, horsetail, Icelandic moss and other plants.
In the treatment of chronic hepatitis with folk remedies in the form of tinctures and decoctions, hops, Leuzea safflower, spotted orchis, etc. are used.
No less popular are dill fruit tinctures, pumpkin pulp and juice, corn silk tincture, chicory and dandelion decoctions.
Elecampane tincture is used as a choleretic agent.
Viral hepatitis is an infectious pathology that is aimed at damaging the entire liver and subsequently leads to an inflammatory process in the tissues of this organ. The disease does not have any restrictions regarding either age category or gender; it can affect both men, women, and children. The main source of the disease is a virus that penetrates the body of a healthy person through transmission from an infected patient. Each type of disease has its own mechanism of viral transition. Types of hepatitis will be discussed in this article.
Classification
Today, 7 types of hepatitis disease are differentiated. They are designated by Latin letters: A, B, C, D, E, G, F. Let's consider which types of hepatitis are the most dangerous, how you can get infected with them, but first we note that the symptoms are most often not specific, therefore, only one clinical observation signs, it is usually not possible to establish a correct diagnosis. To determine the types of viral influence, laboratory tests are used, but instrumental diagnostics may also be required as an addition. Treatment methods are mainly conservative in nature, although in some situations a decision may be made about the necessary surgical intervention.
Routes of infection
Let's look at what types of hepatitis can be picked up through household, blood-contact and other means. Note that hepatitis is caused by one or another type of pathogen, as well as their combination. Regardless of the type of disease, humans are always the main carrier of the disease.
Hepatitis A, or, as it is also called, Botkin's disease, can be transmitted through unwashed food or water, as well as through the use of shared household items with an already infected person.
Viral hepatitis types B and C can often be transmitted through direct interaction with infected blood, or through sex with a carrier of the virus without the use of protective measures.
The main feature of hepatitis D is that for it to occur, a person must first have a viral liver infection of type B. That is, it turns out that it does not act as an independent disease.
Hepatitis E is classified as a parenteral viral infection that is transmitted through blood. But, in addition, infection can occur through the consumption of contaminated water and food.
Hepatitis G virus enters the body of a healthy individual through blood, for example, from mother to child, as well as through the use of common household items.
Another type of viral liver damage is hepatitis F, the causative agent of which can be transmitted by the fecal-oral, as well as hematogenous route.
Thus, from all of the above it follows that the main methods of transmission of viruses are:
Less common routes of transmission
There are also more rare ways of transmitting this infectious disease:
- infection through the airborne droplet method, in which you can only catch hepatitis A, this explains its widespread distribution mainly among children;
- breastfeeding a child, but only if there are violations of the structural integrity of the mother’s nipples or the baby’s oral mucosa;
- kisses, in which infection occurs during a severe course of the disease, in particular, we are talking about hepatitis C, and, in addition, in the case of wounds or ulcers in the oral cavity, both in a healthy and in an infected person;
- oral sex.
It should be said that a person’s susceptibility to one type of virus or another always depends on the health of their immune system. A number of etiological factors can be automatically excluded if you try to follow the basic rules regarding the prevention of all kinds of viral hepatitis.
Types of hepatitis
There are several categories of classifications regarding viral hepatitis, the first of which involves the division of diseases depending on the process of its occurrence, namely:
Forms of the disease
Depending on the manifestation of symptoms, there are:
- An asymptomatic course is most characteristic of viral hepatitis B or C. Based on the name, it should be emphasized that clinical manifestations in this case may be absent for a long time.
- A subclinical form, characterized by factors that can be observed against the background of any type of disease. In such situations, nonspecific symptoms appear, making it possible to accurately determine the diagnosis. The diagnosis of the disease occurs using data obtained during laboratory examinations;
- Manifest course, which is divided into icteric or its opposite form.
Incubation period
Types of hepatitis and methods of infection are of interest to many ordinary citizens. Knowing how you can catch this disease is very important, as it will help avoid infection. Like any other disease, this or that ailment can manifest itself in both acute and chronic forms. Depending on which particular virus has entered the human body, the duration of the incubation period of the disease will vary:
- hepatitis A - from two weeks to six;
- hepatitis B - from eight to twenty-four weeks;
- hepatitis C - from two weeks to one hundred and fifty days;
- hepatitis D - from twenty to one hundred and eighty days;
- hepatitis E - from two to eight weeks;
- hepatitis G - one month;
- hepatitis F - no more than twenty-eight days.
Severity
Each type of hepatitis has a number of degrees of severity of the disease:
- mild degree;
- medium-heavy;
- severe or complicated.
Temporary periods of illness
The typical course of infections has four time periods:
- Incubation is the time that must pass from the moment of infection until the first symptoms appear.
- Prodromal, characterized by minor manifestations of clinical signs, which in a large number of situations are simply ignored by patients.
- Jaundice, considered the height and peak of the disease;
- Recovery, which can quite often be confused with the chronicity of the disease. Here are the types of hepatitis.
In addition to the standard form of progression, viral hepatitis can also be anicteric or erased. Separately, it is also necessary to highlight the most dangerous course of viral liver disease, namely the fulminant type or fulminant hepatitis. In such situations, the patient's condition deteriorates very quickly, usually in just a few hours, and life-threatening complications can occur within two weeks.
We looked at the types of hepatitis. Treatment for each of them must be comprehensive and, most importantly, timely. To do this, you need to consult a doctor in time so as not to waste precious time.
Types of hepatitis, general symptoms
Each type of this disease has its own clinical picture. But there are a number of signs that can be observed in the initial stages of all types of hepatitis:
- weakness or fatigue without any reason;
- malaise and decreased ability to work;
- headache;
- a slight increase in temperature indicators, but, as a rule, no more than 37.5 degrees;
- a sharp decrease in appetite;
- the presence of pain in the joints and muscles;
- bowel dysfunction;
- noticeable discomfort in the area of the right hypochondrium.
Hepatitis A
The most typical symptoms observed against the background of viral hepatitis “A”:
- severe heaviness in the abdomen, which is most noticeable after eating;
- nausea, almost always ending in profuse and severe vomiting;
- severe pain in the area located under the right ribs;
- an increase in the size of the diseased organ, which can be easily determined by palpation.
Hepatitis B
Among the clinical symptoms of hepatitis B, doctors note:
- sharp aversion and aversion to any food smells;
- significant change in spleen volume;
- poor sleep;
- feeling of dry mouth;
- presence of heaviness in the head;
- frequent attacks of nausea, which can sometimes lead to vomiting;
- skin itching for no reason.
Hepatitis C
This type of disease is distinguished by the fact that it occurs without the presence of pronounced symptoms. True, sometimes the following may appear:
- prolonged headaches;
- lack of sleep;
- complete intolerance to previously favorite foods;
- an increase in the size of the liver, which causes noticeable discomfort in the right hypochondrium;
- stool disorder.
Let us remind you that the ways of infection with hepatitis C are direct contact with infected blood and unprotected sexual intercourse.
Hepatitis E
The symptoms accompanying viral hepatitis D and G are completely identical to the clinical picture of type B infection. Liver damage in the presence of hepatitis E has the following distinctive symptoms:
- a sharp decrease in blood pressure;
- constant nasal congestion;
- sore throat and cough;
- attacks of periodic nausea;
- weakness and weakness in health;
- hepatosplenomegaly.
Hepatitis F
Viral hepatitis F is characterized by the following symptoms:
- increased sweating;
- chills;
- bleeding gums;
- depressive states;
- bloating;
- stool disorder;
- severe dizziness;
- enlargement of the liver.
The routes of infection and treatment of hepatitis type F differ little from similar actions for other types of this disease. Only the icteric form of the disease has some characteristic differences. In this case, the following are observed:
- the occurrence of skin rashes of unknown etiology;
- skin itching;
- changes in the skin and visible mucous membranes due to their acquiring a yellowish tint;
- the appearance of bitterness in the mouth;
- the occurrence of belching and heartburn;
- darkening of urine;
- loss of color in feces.
The worst course of the disease is among pediatric patients, the elderly, as well as in people with HIV infection and women while pregnant.
Treatment methods will depend on the type of hepatitis and routes of infection. But before this, a thorough diagnosis is necessary.
Diagnosis of infection
In order to establish the correct diagnosis and be able to distinguish one type of infection from another, laboratory blood tests should be performed. But immediately before their appointment, an anamnesis is collected and a clinical examination is carried out. As a result, the initial diagnosis of viral hepatitis involves:
- Conducting a detailed survey of the infected person, which will make it possible to establish the clinical picture of the course of the disease.
- Familiarization of the doctor with the history of the infection, as well as the patient’s life history, which will indicate the causes and routes of transmission of the virus.
- Conducting a detailed physical examination, which will focus on palpation and percussion of the anterior walls of the abdominal cavity. In this situation, it is advisable to pay special attention to the area under the right ribs, measure temperature and blood pressure, and also study the condition of the skin and sclera.
Laboratory tests against the background of viral hepatitis are usually aimed at taking the following tests:
- General and biochemical analysis of blood and urine.
- Polymerase chain reaction analysis aimed at identifying markers of hepatitis.
- Microscopic examination of feces.
- Assessment of blood's ability to clot.
- Enzyme immunoassays.
Within the framework of instrumental methods of examining a patient, the following have significant diagnostic value:
- Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound examination.
- Liver biopsy.
Treatment of viral hepatitis
Types of hepatitis and methods of transmission of infection have been studied for a long time. This allowed us to develop an effective treatment algorithm. Conservative methods of therapy include:
- taking medications;
- maintaining a gentle diet; all patients suffering from viral hepatitis are prescribed diet number five;
- physiotherapeutic measures and procedures;
- the use of recipes from the field of traditional medicine, but only after prior medical consultation.
Drug treatment of viral hepatitis is prescribed on a strictly individual basis for each patient. Typically used:
- hepatoprotectors;
- antiviral substances;
- immunomodulators;
- vitamin complexes;
- choleretic agents;
- drugs that stabilize the gastrointestinal system;
- painkillers.
Possible complications
The asymptomatic nature of the disease, ignoring the signs that appear, as well as untimely consultation with a doctor for the treatment of viral hepatitis often leads to life-threatening complications, including:
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- the occurrence of oncological processes;
- hepatic coma and renal failure.
Prevention of hepatitis
No matter how dangerous and different in manifestation the types of hepatitis are, prevention can always help avoid the onset of the disease. All preventive measures are divided into specific and nonspecific. The first category of preventive measures for viral hepatitis involves vaccination. It is important to emphasize that in our time there is a vaccination only against hepatitis A and B. The remaining types of the disease require compliance with the following general rules:
- maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle;
- implementation of all necessary safety rules during contact with any human biological fluids, as well as when treating infected patients;
- eating exclusively proven products;
- ban on using household items of an infected person;
- having sex only if you have the necessary protection;
- Constantly undergoing various preventive medical observations.
Thus, it must be emphasized that only viral hepatitis A and E have a favorable prognosis, since after recovery, patients develop lifelong immunity to this disease. Types B and C are considered to be the most dangerous, as they lead to relapses and chronicity. In addition, any acute form of viral hepatitis can cause death. The article described the types of hepatitis, routes of infection, treatment, and prevention.
Viral hepatitis- this is a group of common and dangerous infectious diseases for humans, which differ quite significantly from each other, are caused by different viruses, but still have a common feature - this is a disease that primarily affects the human liver and causes its inflammation. Therefore, viral hepatitis of different types is often combined under the name “jaundice” - one of the most common symptoms of hepatitis.
Epidemics of jaundice were described as early as the 5th century BC. Hippocrates, but the causative agents of hepatitis were discovered only in the middle of the last century. In addition, it should be noted that the concept of hepatitis in modern medicine can mean not only independent diseases, but also one of the components of a generalized, that is, affecting the body as a whole, pathological process.
Hepatitis (a, b, c, d), that is inflammatory liver disease, is possible as a symptom of yellow fever, rubella, herpes, AIDS and some other diseases. There is also toxic hepatitis, which includes, for example, liver damage due to alcoholism.
We will talk about independent infections - viral hepatitis. They differ in origin (etiology) and course, but some symptoms of different types of this disease are somewhat similar to each other.
Classification of viral hepatitis
Classification of viral hepatitis is possible according to many criteria:
The danger of viral hepatitis
Particularly dangerous for human health hepatitis viruses B and C. The ability to exist in the body for a long time without noticeable manifestations leads to serious complications due to the gradual destruction of liver cells.
Another characteristic feature of viral hepatitis is that Anyone can become infected with them. Of course, in the presence of factors such as blood transfusion or working with blood, drug addiction, promiscuity, the risk of contracting not only hepatitis, but also HIV increases. Therefore, for example, healthcare workers should regularly test their blood for markers of hepatitis.
But you can also become infected after a blood transfusion, an injection with a non-sterile syringe, after surgery, a visit to the dentist, a beauty salon or a manicure. Therefore, a blood test for viral hepatitis is recommended for anyone who is exposed to any of these risk factors.
Hepatitis C can also cause extrahepatic manifestations, such as autoimmune diseases. The constant fight against the virus can lead to a perverted immune response to the body’s own tissues, resulting in glomerulonephritis, skin lesions, etc.
Important: In no case should the disease be left untreated, since in this case there is a higher risk of it becoming chronic or rapidly damaging the liver.
Therefore, the only available way to protect yourself from the consequences of hepatitis infection is to rely on early diagnosis through tests and subsequent consultation with a doctor.
Forms of hepatitis
Acute hepatitis
The acute form of the disease is the most typical for all viral hepatitis. Patients experience:
- deterioration of health;
- severe intoxication of the body;
- liver dysfunction;
- development of jaundice;
- an increase in the amount of bilirubin and transaminase in the blood.
With adequate and timely treatment, acute hepatitis ends complete recovery of the patient.
Chronic hepatitis
If the disease lasts more than 6 months, the patient is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis. This form is accompanied by severe symptoms (asthenovegetative disorders, enlarged liver and spleen, metabolic disorders) and often leads to cirrhosis of the liver and the development of malignant tumors.
Human life is at risk when chronic hepatitis, the symptoms of which indicate damage to vital organs, is aggravated by improper treatment, reduced immunity, and alcohol addiction.
General symptoms of hepatitis
Jaundice appears in hepatitis as a result of the release of bilirubin enzyme, which is not processed in the liver, into the blood. But cases of absence of this symptom in hepatitis are not uncommon.
Typically, hepatitis in the initial period of the disease manifests itself flu symptoms. The following are noted:
- temperature increase;
- body aches;
- headache;
- general malaise.
As a result of the inflammatory process, the patient’s liver enlarges and its membrane stretches; at the same time, a pathological process may occur in the gallbladder and pancreas. All this is accompanied pain in the right hypochondrium. The pain often lasts for a long time, aching or dull in nature. But they can be sharp, intense, paroxysmal and radiate to the right shoulder blade or shoulder.
Descriptions of symptoms of viral hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A or Botkin's disease is the most common form of viral hepatitis. Its incubation period (from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs of the disease) ranges from 7 to 50 days.
Causes of hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is most widespread in third world countries with their low sanitary and hygienic standards of living, but isolated cases or outbreaks of hepatitis A are possible even in the most developed countries of Europe and America.
The most common route of transmission of the virus is through close household contact between people and the consumption of food or water contaminated with fecal material. Hepatitis A is also transmitted through dirty hands, so children most often get it.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A
The duration of hepatitis A disease can vary from 1 week to 1.5-2 months, and the recovery period following the disease sometimes stretches to six months.
The diagnosis of viral hepatitis A is made taking into account the symptoms of the disease, medical history (that is, the possibility of the disease occurring due to contact with patients with hepatitis A is taken into account), as well as diagnostic data.
Treatment of hepatitis A
Of all forms, viral hepatitis A is considered the most favorable in terms of prognosis; it does not cause severe consequences and often ends spontaneously, without requiring active treatment.
If necessary, hepatitis A treatment is carried out successfully, usually in a hospital setting. During illness, patients are recommended bed rest, prescribed a special diet and hepatoprotectors - drugs that protect the liver.
Prevention of hepatitis A
The main measure to prevent hepatitis A is compliance with hygiene standards. In addition, children are recommended to be vaccinated against this type of viral hepatitis.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B or serum hepatitis is a much more dangerous disease characterized by severe liver damage. The causative agent of hepatitis B is a virus containing DNA. The outer shell of the virus contains a surface antigen - HbsAg, which causes the formation of antibodies to it in the body. Diagnosis of viral hepatitis B is based on the detection of specific antibodies in the blood serum.
Viral hepatitis b remains infectious in blood serum at 30–32 degrees Celsius for 6 months, at minus 20 degrees Celsius for 15 years, after warming up to plus 60 degrees Celsius for an hour, and only with 20 minutes of boiling it completely disappears. This is why viral hepatitis B is so common in nature.
How is hepatitis B transmitted?
Infection with hepatitis B can occur through blood, as well as through sexual contact and vertically - from mother to fetus.
Symptoms of hepatitis B
In typical cases, hepatitis B, like Botkin's disease, begins with the following symptoms:
- temperature rise;
- weaknesses;
- joint pain;
- nausea and vomiting.
Symptoms such as dark urine and discolored stool are also possible.
Other symptoms of viral hepatitis B may also appear:
- rashes;
- enlarged liver and spleen.
Jaundice is uncommon for hepatitis B. Liver damage can be extremely severe and in severe cases lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Treatment of hepatitis B
Treatment of hepatitis B requires a comprehensive approach and depends on the stage and severity of the disease. Immune drugs, hormones, hepatoprotectors, and antibiotics are used in treatment.
To prevent the disease, vaccination is used, which is usually carried out in the first year of life. It is believed that the duration of post-vaccination immunity to hepatitis B is at least 7 years.
Hepatitis C
The most severe form of viral hepatitis is considered hepatitis C or post-transfusion hepatitis. Hepatitis C virus infection can develop in anyone and is more common in young people. The incidence is growing.
This disease is called post-transfusion hepatitis because infection with viral hepatitis C most often occurs through blood - through blood transfusion or through unsterile syringes. Currently, all donated blood must be tested for the hepatitis C virus. Less commonly, sexual transmission of the virus or vertical transmission from mother to fetus is possible.
How is hepatitis C transmitted?
There are two ways of transmission of the virus (as with viral hepatitis B): hematogenous (i.e. through the blood) and sexual. The most common route is hematogenous.
How does infection occur?
At blood transfusion and its components. Previously, this was the main method of infection. However, with the advent of the method of laboratory diagnosis of viral hepatitis C and its introduction into the mandatory list of donor examinations, this path faded into the background. |
The most common method currently is infection by tattooing and piercing. The use of poorly sterilized and sometimes not sanitized instruments has led to a sharp surge in morbidity. |
Infection often occurs when visiting dentist, manicure salons. |
Using shared needles for intravenous drug administration. Hepatitis C is extremely common among drug addicts. |
Using general with a sick man holding toothbrushes, razors, nail scissors. |
The virus can be transmitted from mother to child at the time of birth. |
At sexual contact: This route is not as relevant for hepatitis C. Only 3-5% of cases of unprotected sex can cause infection. |
Injections from infected needles: this method of infection is not uncommon among medical workers. |
In approximately 10% of patients with hepatitis C, the source remains unclear.
Symptoms of hepatitis C
There are two forms of viral hepatitis C: acute (relatively short period, severe course) and chronic (protracted course of the disease). Most people, even in the acute phase, do not notice any symptoms, but in 25-35% of cases, signs similar to other acute hepatitis appear.
Symptoms of hepatitis usually appear in 4-12 weeks after infection (however, this period can be within 2-24 weeks).
Symptoms of acute hepatitis C
- Loss of appetite.
- Abdominal pain.
- Dark urine.
- Light chair.
Symptoms of chronic hepatitis C
As with the acute form, people with chronic hepatitis C often experience no symptoms in the early or even late stages of the disease. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a person to be surprised to learn that he is sick after a random blood test, for example, when going to the doctor for a common cold.
Important: You can be infected for years and not know it, which is why hepatitis C is sometimes called the “silent killer.”
If symptoms do appear, they will most likely be as follows:
- Pain, bloating, discomfort in the liver area (on the right side).
- Fever.
- Muscle pain, joint pain.
- Decreased appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Depression.
- Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera of the eyes).
- Chronic fatigue, fatigue.
- Spider veins on the skin.
In some cases, as a result of the body's immune response, damage may develop not only to the liver, but also to other organs. For example, kidney damage called cryoglobulinemia may develop.
In this condition, there are abnormal proteins in the blood that become solid when the temperature drops. Cryoglobulinemia can lead to consequences ranging from skin rashes to severe kidney failure.
Diagnosis of viral hepatitis C
Differential diagnosis is similar to that for hepatitis A and B. It should be taken into account that the icteric form of hepatitis C, as a rule, occurs with mild intoxication. The only reliable confirmation of hepatitis C is the results of marker diagnostics.
Considering the large number of anicteric forms of hepatitis C, it is necessary to carry out marker diagnostics of people who systematically receive a large number of injections (primarily people who use drugs intravenously).
Laboratory diagnosis of the acute phase of hepatitis C is based on the detection of viral RNA by PCR and specific IgM by various serological methods. If hepatitis C virus RNA is detected, genotyping is advisable.
The detection of serum IgG to viral hepatitis C antigens indicates either a previous illness or the ongoing persistence of the virus.
Treatment of viral hepatitis C
Despite all the dangerous complications that hepatitis C can lead to, in most cases the course of hepatitis C is favorable - for many years the hepatitis C virus may not manifest itself.
At this time, hepatitis C does not require special treatment - only careful medical monitoring. It is necessary to regularly check liver function; at the first sign of activation of the disease, it should be carried out antiviral therapy.
Currently, 2 antiviral drugs are used, which are most often combined:
- interferon-alpha;
- ribavirin.
Interferon-alpha is a protein that the body synthesizes independently in response to a viral infection, i.e. it is actually a component of natural antiviral defense. In addition, interferon-alpha has antitumor activity.
Interferon-alpha has many side effects, especially when administered parenterally, i.e. in the form of injections, as it is usually used in the treatment of hepatitis C. Therefore, treatment should be carried out under mandatory medical supervision with regular determination of a number of laboratory parameters and appropriate adjustment of the dosage of the drug.
Ribavirin as a stand-alone treatment is low in effectiveness, but when combined with interferon it significantly increases its effectiveness.
Traditional treatment quite often leads to complete recovery from chronic and acute forms of hepatitis C, or to a significant slowdown in the progression of the disease.
Approximately 70–80% of people with hepatitis C develop the chronic form of the disease, which is the most dangerous because the disease can lead to the formation of a malignant liver tumor (that is, cancer) or cirrhosis of the liver.
When hepatitis C is combined with other forms of viral hepatitis, the patient's condition can deteriorate sharply, the course of the disease can become more complicated and lead to death.
The danger of viral hepatitis C also lies in the fact that there is currently no effective vaccine that can protect a healthy person from infection, although scientists are making a lot of efforts in this direction to prevent viral hepatitis.
How long do people live with hepatitis C?
Based on medical experience and research conducted in this area, life with hepatitis C is possible and even quite long. A common disease, like many others, has two stages of development: remission and exacerbation. Often, hepatitis C does not progress, that is, it does not lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
It must be said right away that fatal cases, as a rule, are associated not with the manifestation of the virus, but with the consequences of its impact on the body and general disruptions in the functioning of various organs. It is difficult to indicate a specific period during which pathological changes incompatible with life occur in the patient’s body.
The rate of progression of hepatitis C is influenced by various factors:
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, there are more than 500 million people in whose blood a virus or pathogen antibodies are detected. These data will only go up every year. The number of cases of liver cirrhosis has increased by 12 percent worldwide over the past decade. The average age category is 50 years.
It should be noted that in 30% of cases The progression of the disease is very slow and lasts about 50 years. In some cases, fibrotic changes in the liver are quite minor or absent even if the infection lasts several decades, so you can live with hepatitis C for quite a long time. Thus, with complex treatment, patients live 65-70 years.
Important: If appropriate therapy is not carried out, life expectancy is reduced to an average of 15 years after infection.
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D or delta hepatitis differs from all other forms of viral hepatitis in that its virus cannot multiply in the human body separately. To do this, he needs a “helper virus,” which is the hepatitis B virus.
Therefore, delta hepatitis can be considered not as an independent disease, but as a companion disease complicating the course of hepatitis B. When these two viruses coexist in a patient's body, a severe form of the disease occurs, which doctors call superinfection. The course of this disease resembles that of hepatitis B, but complications characteristic of viral hepatitis B are more common and more severe.
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E its symptoms are similar to hepatitis A. However, unlike other types of viral hepatitis, in severe forms of hepatitis E, severe damage is observed not only to the liver, but also to the kidneys.
Hepatitis E, like hepatitis A, has a fecal-oral mechanism of infection, is common in countries with a hot climate and poor water supply, and the prognosis for recovery in most cases is favorable.
Important: the only group of patients for whom infection with hepatitis E can be fatal are women in the last trimester of pregnancy. In such cases, mortality can reach 9–40% of cases, and the fetus dies in almost all cases of hepatitis E in a pregnant woman.
Prevention of viral hepatitis of this group is similar to prevention of hepatitis A.
Hepatitis G
Hepatitis G- the last representative of the family of viral hepatitis - in its symptoms and signs it resembles viral hepatitis C. However, it is less dangerous, since the progression of the infectious process inherent in hepatitis C with the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer is not typical for hepatitis G. However, the combination of hepatitis C and G can lead to cirrhosis.
Medicines for hepatitis
Which doctors should I contact if I have hepatitis?
Tests for hepatitis
To confirm the diagnosis of hepatitis A, a biochemical blood test is sufficient to determine the concentration of liver enzymes, protein and bilirubin in the plasma. The concentration of all these fractions will be increased due to the destruction of liver cells.
Biochemical blood tests also help determine the activity of hepatitis. It is by biochemical indicators that one can get an impression of how aggressive the virus behaves towards liver cells and how its activity changes over time and after treatment.
To determine infection with two other types of virus, a blood test is performed for antigens and antibodies to hepatitis C and B. You can take blood tests for hepatitis quickly, without spending a lot of time, but their results will allow the doctor to obtain detailed information.
By assessing the number and ratio of antigens and antibodies to the hepatitis virus, you can find out about the presence of infection, exacerbation or remission, as well as how the disease responds to treatment.
Based on dynamic blood test data, the doctor can adjust his prescriptions and make a prognosis for the further development of the disease.
Diet for hepatitis
The diet for hepatitis is as gentle as possible, since the liver, which is directly involved in digestion, is damaged. For hepatitis it is necessary frequent split meals.
Of course, diet alone is not enough to treat hepatitis; drug therapy is also necessary, but proper nutrition plays a very important role and has a beneficial effect on the well-being of patients.
Thanks to the diet, pain decreases and general condition improves. During an exacerbation of the disease, the diet becomes more strict, during periods of remission - more free.
In any case, you cannot neglect your diet, because it is precisely reducing the load on the liver that allows you to slow down and alleviate the course of the disease.
What can you eat if you have hepatitis?
Products that can be included in the diet with this diet:
- lean meats and fish;
- low-fat dairy products;
- inconvenient flour products, lingering cookies, yesterday’s bread;
- eggs (whites only);
- cereals;
- boiled vegetables.
What not to eat if you have hepatitis
You should exclude the following foods from your diet:
- fatty meats, duck, goose, liver, smoked meats, sausages, canned food;
- cream, fermented baked milk, salty and fatty cheeses;
- fresh bread, puff pastry and pastry, fried pies;
- fried and hard-boiled eggs;
- pickled vegetables;
- fresh onions, garlic, radishes, sorrel, tomatoes, cauliflower;
- butter, lard, cooking fats;
- strong tea and coffee, chocolate;
- alcoholic and carbonated drinks.
Prevention of hepatitis
Hepatitis A and hepatitis E, transmitted by the fecal-oral route, are quite easy to prevent if you follow basic hygiene rules:
- wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet;
- do not eat unwashed vegetables and fruits;
- Do not drink raw water from unknown sources.
For children and adults at risk, there is vaccination against hepatitis A, but it is not included in the compulsory vaccination calendar. Vaccination is carried out in case of an epidemic situation regarding the prevalence of hepatitis A, before traveling to areas unfavorable for hepatitis. It is recommended that preschool workers and healthcare workers be vaccinated against hepatitis A.
As for hepatitis B, D, C and G, transmitted through the infected blood of a patient, their prevention is somewhat different from the prevention of hepatitis A. First of all, it is necessary to avoid contact with the blood of an infected person, and since it is enough to transmit the hepatitis virus minimum amount of blood, then infection can occur when using one razor, nail scissors, etc. All these devices must be individual.
As for the sexual route of transmission of the virus, it is less likely, but still possible, therefore sexual contacts with untested partners should be only using a condom. Intercourse during menstruation, defloration, or other situations in which sexual contact involves the release of blood increases the risk of contracting hepatitis.
The most effective protection against hepatitis B infection today is considered vaccination. In 1997, vaccination against hepatitis B was included in the compulsory vaccination schedule. Three vaccinations against hepatitis B are carried out in the first year of a child’s life, and the first vaccination is done in the maternity hospital, a few hours after the baby is born.
Teenagers and adults are vaccinated against hepatitis B on a voluntary basis, and experts strongly recommend that representatives of the risk group receive such a vaccination.
Let us remind you that the risk group includes the following categories of citizens:
- workers of medical institutions;
- patients who received blood transfusions;
- drug addicts.
In addition, persons living or traveling in areas with widespread hepatitis B virus transmission, or having family contact with hepatitis B patients or carriers of hepatitis B virus.
Unfortunately, vaccines to prevent hepatitis C are currently does not exist. Therefore, its prevention comes down to the prevention of drug addiction, mandatory testing of donor blood, educational work among adolescents and young people, etc.
Questions and answers on the topic "Viral hepatitis"
Question:Hello, what is a healthy carrier of hepatitis C?
Answer: A carrier of hepatitis C is a person who has the virus in his blood but does not experience any painful symptoms. This condition can last for years while the immune system controls the disease. Carriers, being a source of infection, must constantly take care of the safety of their loved ones and, if they wish to become parents, carefully approach the issue of family planning.
Question:How do I know if I have hepatitis?
Answer: Do a blood test for hepatitis.
Question:Hello! I am 18 years old, hepatitis B and C negative, what does this mean?
Answer: The analysis showed the absence of hepatitis B and C.
Question:Hello! My husband has hepatitis B. I recently had my last hepatitis B vaccine. A week ago my husband’s lip was cracked; now it’s not bleeding, but the crack hasn’t healed yet. Is it better to stop kissing until it heals completely?
Answer: Hello! It’s better to cancel and give you anti-hbs, hbcorab total, PCR test for him.
Question:Hello! I had a trimmed manicure done at the salon, my skin was injured, now I’m worried, how long will it take to get tested for all infections?
Answer: Hello! Contact an infectious disease specialist to decide on emergency vaccination. After 14 days, you can take a blood test for RNA and DNA of hepatitis C and B viruses.
Question:Hello, please help: I was recently diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B with low activity (hbsag +; DNA PCR +; DNA 1.8 * 10 in 3 st. IU/ml; alt and ast are normal, other indicators in biochemical analysis are normal ; hbeag - ; anti-hbeag +). The doctor said that no treatment is required, no diet is needed, however, I have repeatedly come across information on various websites that all chronic hepatitis can be treated, and there is even a small percentage of complete recovery. So maybe it’s worth starting treatment? And yet, for several years now I have been using a hormonal drug prescribed by the doctor. This drug has a negative effect on the liver. But it is impossible to cancel it, what should you do in this case?
Answer: Hello! Observe regularly, follow a diet, eliminate alcohol, and possibly prescribe hepatoprotectors. HTP is not required at this time.
Question:Hello, I'm 23 years old. Recently I had to take tests for a medical examination and this is what was discovered: the test for hepatitis B deviates from the norm. Do I have a chance to pass a medical examination for contract service with such results? I was vaccinated against hepatitis B in 2007. I have never observed any symptoms related to the liver. I didn't have jaundice. Nothing bothered me. Last year, I took SOTRET 20 mg per day for six months (I had problems with my facial skin), nothing special.
Answer: Hello! Possibly a history of viral hepatitis B with recovery. The chance depends on the diagnosis made by the hepatology commission.
Question:Maybe the question is in the wrong place, tell me who to contact. The child is 1 year and 3 months old. We want to vaccinate him against infectious hepatitis. How can this be done and are there any contraindications?
Answer:
Question:What should other family members do if the father has hepatitis C?
Answer: Viral hepatitis C refers to “blood infections” of a person with a parenteral mechanism of infection - during medical procedures, blood transfusions, during sexual contacts. Therefore, at the household level in family settings, there is no danger of infection for other family members.
Question:Maybe the question is in the wrong place, tell me who to contact. The child is 1 year and 3 months old. We want to vaccinate him against infectious hepatitis. How can this be done and are there any contraindications?
Answer: Today you can vaccinate a child (as well as an adult) against viral hepatitis A (infectious), against viral hepatitis B (parenteral or “blood”) or with a combined vaccination (hepatitis A + hepatitis B). Vaccination against hepatitis A is one-time, against hepatitis B - three times at intervals of 1 and 5 months. Contraindications are standard.
Question:My son (25 years old) and daughter-in-law (22 years old) are sick with hepatitis G and they live with me. In addition to my eldest son, I have two more sons, 16 years old. Is hepatitis G contagious to others? Can they have children and how will this infection affect the child’s health?
Answer: Viral hepatitis G is not transmitted through household contact and is not dangerous for your younger sons. A woman infected with hepatitis G can give birth to a healthy child in 70-75% of cases. Since this is generally a fairly rare type of hepatitis, and even more so in two spouses at the same time, to exclude a laboratory error, I recommend repeating this analysis again, but in a different laboratory.
Question:How effective is the hepatitis B vaccine? What side effects does this vaccine have? What should be the vaccination plan if a woman plans to become pregnant in a year? What are the contraindications?
Answer: Vaccination against viral hepatitis B (carried out three times - 0, 1 and 6 months) is highly effective, cannot in itself lead to jaundice and has no side effects. It has practically no contraindications. Women who are planning a pregnancy and have not had rubella or chickenpox must, in addition to hepatitis B, also be vaccinated against rubella and chickenpox, but no later than 3 months before pregnancy.
Question:What to do about hepatitis C? To treat or not to treat?
Answer: Viral hepatitis C should be treated in the presence of three main indicators: 1) the presence of cytolysis syndrome - elevated ALT levels in whole and 1:10 diluted blood serum; 2) a positive test result for immunoglobulin M class antibodies to the nuclear antigen of the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCVcor-Ig M) and 3) detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in the blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Although the final decision should still be made by the attending physician.
Question:In our office, an employee was diagnosed with hepatitis A (jaundice). What should we do? 1. Should the office be disinfected? 2. When does it make sense for us to test for jaundice? 3. Should we limit contact with families now?
Answer: The office should be disinfected. Tests can be taken immediately (blood for AlT, antibodies to HAV - hepatitis A virus of immunoglobulin classes M and G). It is advisable to limit contact with children (before testing or up to 45 days after identifying a case of the disease). After the situation is clarified, it is advisable for healthy non-immune employees (negative test results for IgG antibodies to HAV) to be vaccinated against viral hepatitis A, as well as hepatitis B, to prevent similar crises in the future.
Question:How is the hepatitis virus transmitted? And how to avoid getting sick.
Answer: Hepatitis A and E viruses are transmitted through food and drink (the so-called fecal-oral transmission). Hepatitis B, C, D, G, TTV are transmitted through medical procedures, injections (for example, among injection drug addicts using one syringe, one needle and a common “shirka”), blood transfusions, during surgical operations with reusable instruments, as well as during sexual contacts (so-called parenteral, blood transfusion and sexual transmission). Knowing the routes of transmission of viral hepatitis, a person can to a certain extent control the situation and reduce the risk of disease. There have been vaccines against hepatitis A and B in Ukraine for a long time, vaccinations with which provide a 100% guarantee against the occurrence of the disease.
Question:I have hepatitis C, genotype 1B. I was treated with Reaferon + Ursosan - without results. What medications to take to prevent liver cirrhosis.
Answer: For hepatitis C, the most effective combination antiviral therapy is: recombinant alpha 2-interferon (3 million per day) + ribavirin (or in combination with other drugs - nucleoside analogues). The treatment process is long, sometimes more than 12 months, under the control of ELISA, PCR and cytolysis syndrome indicators (AlT in whole and 1:10 diluted blood serum), as well as at the final stage - liver puncture biopsy. Therefore, it is advisable to be observed and undergo laboratory examination by one attending physician - it is necessary to understand the definition of “without result” (dosage, duration of the first course, laboratory results in the dynamics of drug use, etc.).
Question:Hepatitis C! A 9-year-old child has had a fever for 9 years. How to treat? What's new in this area? Will they soon find the right treatment? Thank you in advance.
Answer: Temperature is not the main symptom of chronic hepatitis C. Therefore: 1) it is necessary to exclude other causes of elevated temperature; 2) determine the activity of viral hepatitis C according to three main criteria: a) ALT activity in whole and 1:10 diluted blood serum; b) serological profile - Ig G antibodies to HCV proteins of classes NS4, NS5 and Ig M to the HCV nuclear antigen; 3) test the presence or absence of HCV RNA in the blood using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and also determine the genotype of the detected virus. Only after this will it be possible to talk about the need to treat hepatitis C. Today there are quite progressive drugs in this area.
Question:Is it possible to breastfeed a child if the mother has hepatitis C?
Answer: It is necessary to test the mother's milk and blood for hepatitis C virus RNA. If the result is negative, you can breastfeed the baby.
Question:My brother is 20 years old. Hepatitis B was discovered in 1999. Now he has been diagnosed with hepatitis C. I have a question. Does one virus change to another? Can it be cured? Is it possible to have sex and have children? He also has 2 lymph nodes on the back of his head, maybe he should be tested for HIV? Didn't take drugs. Please, please answer me. Thank you. Tanya
Answer: You know, Tanya, with a high degree of probability, infection with two viruses (HBV and HCV) occurs precisely through injecting drug use. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to clarify this situation with your brother and, if necessary, recover from drug addiction. Drugs are a cofactor that accelerates the unfavorable course of hepatitis. It is advisable to get tested for HIV. One virus does not pass into another. Chronic viral hepatitis B and C are treated today and sometimes quite successfully. Sexual life - with a condom. After treatment you can have children.
Question:How is the hepatitis A virus transmitted?
Answer: The hepatitis A virus is transmitted from person to person through the fecal-oral route. This means that a person with hepatitis A sheds viruses in their stool, which, if poor hygiene is not observed, can get into food or water and lead to infection of another person. Hepatitis A is often called the “disease of dirty hands.”
Question:What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis A?
Answer: Often, viral hepatitis A is asymptomatic, or under the guise of another illness (for example, gastroenteritis, flu, colds), but, as a rule, some of the following symptoms may indicate the presence of hepatitis: weakness, increased fatigue, drowsiness, in children, tearfulness and irritability; decreased or lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, bitter belching; discolored stool; fever up to 39°C, chills, sweating; pain, feeling of heaviness, discomfort in the right hypochondrium; darkening of urine - occurs a few days after the first signs of hepatitis appear; jaundice (the appearance of a yellow coloration of the sclera of the eyes, body skin, and oral mucosa), as a rule, appears a week after the onset of the disease, bringing some relief to the patient’s condition. Often there are no signs of jaundice with hepatitis A at all.