The term "incubation period" doctors refer to the time that passes between the entry of the virus into the body and the onset of the first symptoms of the disease. This time interval is considered one of the main criteria for the disease, as it reflects the interaction of the patient and the virus.
Hepatitis C
The incubation period of hepatitis C, as noted above, can last from several days to six months. The initial stage of the disease is called the "preicteric period" and lasts from four days to a week. This stage is characterized by such signs as impaired bowel function, digestive problems, constant abdominal colic and the so-called astheno-vegetative syndrome. Many patients retroactively recalled that the incubation period of hepatitis C was marked for them by unexplained mood swings, severe irritability, increased fatigue and insomnia. Among the common symptoms, one should also mention a rapid heart rate, as during running.
Stages
After the incubation period of hepatitis C ends, it is replaced by the icteric stage. She usuallylasts from one to three weeks, with all of the above symptoms appearing stronger and stronger. Over time, vomiting and constant weakness are added to them. The patient's spleen at the same time significantly increases in size.
Symptomatics
When the incubation period of hepatitis C comes to an end, you will know about it by the following symptoms: astheno-vegetative and dyspeptic syndromes; acute pain in the joints (the shape of the bones does not change, no deformations are observed); bouts of vomiting; skin rashes. By the way, the epidermis of the patient acquires a characteristic yellowish tint. The patient's urine becomes darker, and the excrement, on the contrary, turns pale. On ultrasound, you can find that the liver and spleen have increased many times over. It should be noted that in some cases the disease can develop without external manifestations. In this case, the diagnosis is made already at the chronic stage, that is, when the liver is almost completely destroyed by cirrhosis. This is the main danger posed by the long incubation period of hepatitis.
Hepatitis A
This is a viral disease that also affects the liver. It is transmitted mainly by the fecal-oral route. This virus is somewhat special: unlike its counterparts, it is resistant to the environment and can live for several months at room temperature. The incubation period of viral hepatitis A is the time when the infection is already multiplying in the human body,but he is unaware of this and continues to live a normal life: he has sexual intercourse, often neglects personal hygiene … But the transmission of the virus may well occur through water, food or, for example, a towel (this path is called contact-household). That is why the disease is so often diagnosed in young children and adolescents - they get it from their parents. Fortunately, 90 percent of patients make a full recovery.
