In modern society, the following question is often asked: "Hepatitis B - what is it?" Everything is explained by the widespread spread of this disease and the increased risk of infection.
Hepatitis B is a serious disease that attacks liver cells and can be fatal. It is caused by the HBV virus. Hepatitis B poses the greatest danger in the long term, since in most cases it occurs without obvious signs. Symptoms and treatment of hepatitis B should be known to every modern person. The disease is difficult to treat, but if a person with hepatitis B manages to recover, he develops the necessary antibodies that provide strong immunity.
In this article, we will look at the following issues related to the disease called "hepatitis B":
• How is it transmitted?
• Disease prevention.
• Hepatitis B treatment.
How infection occurs
The hepatitis B virus is extremely viable. For him, such factors as boiling, freezing, treatment with highly toxic chemicals are not destructive. AtAt room temperature, the virus can survive for a very long time. It poses a danger, even when in a dried old stain of blood or saliva. It is hundreds of times more infectious than the AIDS virus.
The most frequently asked question is: "How is Hepatitis B transmitted?". To get sick, a small amount of the virus enters the human bloodstream. The routes of infection are also mucous membranes and damaged skin. Through the blood, this virus reaches the liver cells, where it settles and multiplies. In this case, a change occurs in the tissues of this organ. The diseased person's own lymphocytes begin to attack and damage the altered cells, detrimentally affecting the condition of the liver.
The main danger is the blood of a sick person. Hepatitis B is most commonly transmitted in the following ways:
1. In beauty salons (manicure, pedicure, piercing).
2. In tattoo parlors (including when permanent makeup is performed).
3. During a blood or serum transfusion.
4. During the procedure of hemodialysis through machines.
5. When using other people's razors, toothbrushes, towels and other personal hygiene items.
6. Through instruments in medical facilities (dental rooms, operating rooms, dressing rooms, donor stations, etc.).
7. Through non-sterile syringes (risk group - drug addicts).
8. Sexual contact with a sick person (any unprotected relationship).
9. From mother to child (infection occurs when passing through the birth canal).
Infection is almost impossible (but acceptable) from kissing, sneezing, breastfeeding a baby, sharing utensils and shaking hands. Next, consider the symptoms and treatment of hepatitis B.
What are the signs of infection
The main danger of this disease lies in the fact that at first the symptoms are not expressed. Minor signs begin to appear only when the virus has already multiplied and is actively operating in the body. The asymptomatic incubation period takes an average of 2-6 months. Warning signs that may indicate an advanced disease:
- Fatigue and fatigue.
- Loss of appetite, weight loss.
- Nausea.
- Feeling of discomfort in the liver (right hypochondrium).
- Darkening of urine (the color of brewed tea).
- Stool lightening.
- Icterus of the sclera of the eyes and skin.
- Joint pain.
- Blood chemistry shows signs of liver dysfunction.
It should also be noted that in adults, these symptoms are more pronounced than in children. If these signs are found, it is necessary to take a blood test for hepatitis B antigen, which will confirm or refute the presence of the disease.
Hepatitis carrier
One of the forms of viral hepatitis B disease is carriage. In this case, it manifests itself depending on personal immunity and is asymptomatic. The course of this diseaseoften does not turn into a chronic form due to the viability of the body, its strength and endurance. Most often, the carriage turns into a chronic form of hepatitis B after 15-20 years.
Even 10 years ago, carriage was not perceived as a disease of hepatitis B. Currently, many infectious disease doctors insist that this form of the disease is the beginning of chronic hepatitis B. There is no specific treatment for carriers of the virus, therefore, it is necessary to carry out prevention immunostimulating and restorative courses. However, you need to know that the carrier is a danger to others due to its contagiousness.
Forms of illness
The most severe form of viral hepatitis B is a fulminant onset of the disease, when symptoms develop very quickly. Within a few hours, cerebral edema occurs, then coma and death occur. Cases of survival of patients after such a disease are very rare.
Acute hepatitis B is also isolated. In this case, the following variants of the disease are possible:
- subclinical (symptoms are mild, no jaundice, slight changes in blood chemistry);
- icteric (jaundice, intoxication, pronounced changes in biochemical analysis);
- protracted (significant duration of the disease, occurring from 3 to 12 months, most often manifested in the elderly);
- cholestatic (features of inflammation are moderately expressed, signs of damage dominatebiliary excretion).
The most frequently asked question is: “What are the causes, symptoms and treatment of hepatitis B?” Signs of an acute form of the disease at the initial stage can be compared with the manifestations of a cold: general weakness, fatigue, nausea, sweating, sore throat, headaches, runny nose, fever, cough. Later, external signs of a viral disease appear (jaundice, darkening of urine, lightening of feces, etc.).
One of the most common forms of the disease is a chronic form of hepatitis B. In this case, the incubation period lasts from a month to six months. This disease is insidious in that it is asymptomatic at the initial stage. Only after serious changes in the liver does the manifestation of signs of hepatitis begin. There have been cases when the virus was detected in human blood quite by accident, and the patient was unaware of his disease and did not experience any discomfort.
Hepatitis B: diagnosis
Most often people are interested in information about which tests for hepatitis and HIV infection should be taken. Hepatitis B is diagnosed using these tests:
1. Biochemical blood test (shows the state of the liver, you can only indirectly diagnose).
2. A blood test for the "Australian" antigen HBSAg. It should be noted that a negative result of this examination cannot exclude the carriage of the virus or the inactive form of hepatitis B.
3. Blood test for IgM antibodies (their presence confirms the acute form of the disease).
4. Blood test for IgG antibodies (theirthe presence will allow us to talk about the chronic form of hepatitis B and the carriage of the virus).
If HIV infection is suspected, a special blood test must be taken. ELISA can detect the virus only after 1.5-3 months after infection. PCR analysis confirms infection 2-3 weeks after infection.
Chronic hepatitis: treatment
In the chronic form of hepatitis B, an infectious disease hepatologist prescribes a course of antiviral drugs:
- nucleazide analogs help to reduce the activity of reproduction of this virus in the blood;
- interferons reduce pathological changes in the liver.
In addition, regular maintenance therapy is recommended. For this, hepatoprotectors are prescribed, which contribute to the resistance of liver cells to the penetration of viruses; immunomodulatory drugs that increase the body's overall resistance to infection.
Detoxification is also possible, when, thanks to special preparations, the blood is cleansed of various toxins. For general maintenance of the body, it is recommended to take vitamins in courses, as well as strictly follow a diet.
Surgical intervention is possible in case of serious violations of the liver. In this case, a liver transplant is performed from a donor.
Treatment of the acute form of the disease
If hepatitis B is mild, no antiviral treatment is given. Patients shown:
- detoxification (drinking plenty of water to reducesymptoms and recovery of fluid levels in the body);
- strict diet (no alcohol or toxic drugs).
Cure
Full recovery is possible. With proper treatment, lifestyle and medical supervision, it occurs within a few years. In the event that you are sick with an acute form of hepatitis B, there is a chance that it will become chronic. Asymptomatic carriers can persist throughout life without causing serious complications or liver disease.
If proper treatment is not given, hepatitis B can lead to serious diseases such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Prevention
If the question of hepatitis B - what it is, everything is more or less clear, then we will clarify how to avoid this disease. To reduce your chances of contracting hepatitis B virus, follow these guidelines:
- Timely vaccination against hepatitis B.
- Protected sex.
- Compliance with hygiene rules.
- Passing preventive medical examinations.
Vaccination
Vaccination against hepatitis B is carried out during the first day of a baby's life. Often women ask this question: “Why vaccinate a child so early?” The fact is that when infected with hepatitis B in the first 12 months after birth, the baby becomes a carrier of the virus for the rest of his life. Given the asymptomatic course of the disease, one can seriously fearfor the future he alth of the child. Untreated hepatitis B often leads to complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
This vaccination is carried out for all children, since it is sometimes impossible to detect a carrier of hepatitis B during pregnancy.
In the Russian Federation, vaccinations against hepatitis B are carried out according to the 0-1-6 scheme. This means that vaccination occurs in three doses: at birth, at 1 month and at six months. In the event that the woman in labor is a carrier of the virus, vaccination is carried out according to the scheme: 0-1-2-12. The vaccine is injected into the front of the thigh intramuscularly.
An adult also needs to be vaccinated against hepatitis B. This is due to the wide spread of this disease in Russia and around the world. Vaccination is carried out in three doses according to the scheme 0-1-6. It must be carried out at a certain time without delay, otherwise the body will not develop effective immunity against this disease.
Contraindications for hepatitis B vaccination are as follows:
- Allergy to baker's yeast.
- Acute respiratory diseases.
- Meningitis.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Type 1 diabetes.
A little about hepatitis C
The likelihood of contracting hepatitis C and B occurs under the same circumstances. Symptoms appear only in the acute course of the disease and manifest themselves in the form of general fatigue,weakness, joint pain, digestive disorders. Jaundice in hepatitis C develops very rarely. After the transfer of acute hepatitis C, a complete recovery of the patient is possible, as well as the transition of the disease to a chronic form or carriage.
The symptoms and treatment of hepatitis B and C are very similar. The probability of cure is possible in 60-80% of cases, subject to timely contact with a medical institution.
Vaccination against viral hepatitis C currently does not exist, therefore, to prevent infection, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of doctors.
Types of illness
Viral hepatitis is a very insidious disease. Its danger lies in the asymptomatic course, while one of the vital organs, the liver, is destroyed. Hepatitis directly affects his condition.
The types of this disease are as follows: viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F (G). They have a different course, infection also occurs for various reasons. The only thing that unites them is the similarity of symptoms and the detrimental effect on the human liver. For diagnosis and treatment, you must contact a medical institution and take tests.
Conclusion
With timely diagnosis, a full recovery from a disease such as hepatitis can be achieved. The types of this virus are different. Some require expensive and long-term treatment, while others can be eliminated without special therapy.
Many people who get hepatitis B don't get the treatment they need because antiviralsquite expensive. The minimum price of a course for one month is 10,000 rubles, and it is necessary to take medicines for a year or more. If a cure does not occur, then after a break, the necessary medicines will be prescribed again.
Can chronic hepatitis be defeated? Treatment depends on timely access to a medical institution. If this disease is detected in time, the symptoms will not complicate your life, and the therapy will be faster, more effective and cheaper.
