What increases with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B. Description of the disease. Complications of viral hepatitis B

Among all infectious and inflammatory liver lesions, viral hepatitis is considered the most common, and special attention is paid to the treatment of hepatitis B among them. Early detection and prevention of the infectious process leads to excellent results: more than 95% of patients with an acute form of the disease are considered recovered after full course therapy.

Treatment of hepatitis B in chronic form is considered more complex and lengthy: patients are often forced to take antivirals years to achieve stable remission. But still, reversible inflammatory processes in the liver and even complications of hepatitis B are curable. Read about the general principles of therapy, current approaches and modern medications in our review.

General information about the disease

Viral hepatitis B is an infectious disease with predominant damage to hepatocytes and a decrease in the functional activity of the liver. Its causative agent is the HBV virus (HBV) from the hepadnovirus family.

The pathogen is transmitted only from person to person, and the source of infection can be either a patient with hepatitis B receiving treatment or a virus carrier with an innaparent (asymptomatic) form of the disease. HBV is found in blood, semen, vaginal secretions and other body fluids. The contagiousness of the infection is very high: even with a single contact with a small amount of viral particles, infection can occur.

Among the main routes of transmission are:

sexual;
parenteral, including injection;
domestic;
transplacental.

Note! The prevalence of hepatitis B in adults and children remains very high: in some areas (Central Africa, South-East Asia, countries Latin America) up to 10% of the total population is infected with the virus.

Development effective methods therapy and timely treatment of hepatitis B is one of the priorities of healthcare. Early diagnosis and the beginning of a comprehensive detoxification, antiviral and hepatoprotective effect on the body can significantly reduce the number of possible complications and achieve full recovery.

Therapeutic measures against HBV

So how to treat hepatitis B? Interestingly, approaches to the treatment of acute and chronic inflammation liver may differ. This is due to the pathogenetic features and nature of damage to hepatocytes in these diseases.

Before starting treatment, the patient must undergo a comprehensive examination, including:

collection of complaints and medical history;
clinical examination by the attending physician, including palpation of the abdomen and liver, measurement of heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure;
laboratory examination (clinical blood and urine analysis, biochemistry, enzyme immunoassay, PCR with viral load);
instrumental examination (ultrasound abdominal cavity, assessment of fibroplastic changes in the liver using fibrotest, elastometry);
analysis for HBV mutations and drug resistance.

Note! Mutant strains of the virus are less responsive to interferon therapy than wild strains. This is worth paying attention to when drawing up a plan. therapeutic measures.

There is currently no generally accepted treatment regimen for HBV. Therefore, selection and dose adjustment of drugs for hepatitis B should be carried out only by an experienced hepatologist (infectious disease specialist).

Treatment of acute forms of the disease

Treatment of hepatitis B in acute form is usually carried out in the departments of infectious diseases hospitals. Severe functional disorders of the liver are an indication for hospitalization in the ICU. The criteria for assessing the severity of the disease are the severity of general signs of intoxication (headache, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, fever) and the level of total bilirubin.

Viral hepatitis occurs:

lungs – signs of intoxication are mild, hepatomegaly is possible, bilirubin level is less than 85 µmol/l.
moderate severity - moderate intoxication, vomiting 1-2 times a day, hepatomegaly. Disorders of the cardiovascular system are observed - bradycardia, muffled heart sounds, decreased blood pressure. Bilirubin level is 86-170 µmol/l.
severe – signs of intoxication are expressed, repeated vomiting during the day. The liver may have normal sizes. Tachycardia, hypotension, and hemorrhagic syndrome are determined. Bilirubin level is above 170 µmol/l.

At the same time, the activity of cytolytic syndrome with increased levels of ALT and AST in the blood does not correlate with the severity of hepatitis manifestations.

Acute hepatitis is almost always treated in a hospital. It is recommended to remain in bed for 1-2 weeks. Then, as the symptoms of intoxication subside and laboratory tests normalize, discharge under outpatient supervision of a local doctor is possible.

Patients with acute and chronic forms of the disease in a specific drug treatment dont need. The immune system of a healthy person is able to cope with the virus on its own. Patients are shown only basic therapy, including correction of lifestyle and nutrition, as well as protection of the liver from the negative effects of external factors.

How to cure hepatitis with diet? the main objective therapeutic nutrition is as follows:

maximum sparing of the gastrointestinal tract;
improvement of liver function;
saturating the body with glycogen;
reducing the risk of complications (fatty infiltration, cirrhosis);
correction of metabolic disorders;
stimulation of regenerative (restorative) processes.

Treatment of viral hepatitis B begins with the appointment of a strict specialized diet (treatment table No. 5a). After the symptoms of intoxication have subsided and the condition has stabilized, patients can switch to diet No. 5. It is recommended to follow it for 4-6 months until the impaired functional activity of the liver is completely restored.

Among general recommendations Diet in patients with HBV is especially important: food should be eaten 5-6 times a day, in small portions. This diet schedule allows you to avoid stagnation of bile in the liver and aggravation of inflammation.

Viral hepatitis B(serum hepatitis) is an infectious liver disease that occurs in various clinical variants (from asymptomatic carriage to destruction of the liver parenchyma). With hepatitis B, liver cell damage is autoimmune in nature. A concentration of the virus sufficient for infection is found only in the biological fluids of the patient. Therefore, hepatitis B infection can occur parenterally during blood transfusion and various traumatic procedures (dental procedures, tattoos, pedicures, piercings), as well as through sexual contact. In the diagnosis of hepatitis B, the detection of HbsAg antigen and HbcIgM antibodies in the blood plays a decisive role. Treatment of viral hepatitis B includes basic antiviral therapy, mandatory diet, detoxification and symptomatic treatment.

General information

Characteristics of the pathogen

The hepatitis B virus is DNA-containing and belongs to the genus Orthohepadnavirus. In infected individuals, three types of viruses are found in the blood, differing in morphological characteristics. Spherical and filamentous forms Viral particles do not have virulence; Dane particles, two-layered, round, full-structure viral forms, exhibit infectious properties. Their population in the blood rarely exceeds 7%. The hepatitis B virus particle has a surface antigen, HbsAg, and three internal antigens: HBeAg, HBcAg and HbxAg.

Virus resistance to conditions external environment very high. In blood and its preparations, the virus remains viable for years; it can exist for several months at room temperature on linen, medical instruments, objects contaminated with the patient’s blood. Inactivation of the virus is carried out by processing in autoclaves by heating to 120°C for 45 minutes, or in a dry-heat oven at 180°C for 60 minutes. The virus dies when exposed to chemical disinfectants: chloramine, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide.

The source and reservoir of viral hepatitis B are sick people, as well as healthy virus carriers. The blood of people infected with hepatitis B becomes infectious much earlier than the first clinical manifestations are noted. In 5-10% of cases, chronic asymptomatic carriage develops. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with various biological fluids (blood, semen, urine, saliva, bile, tears, milk). The main epidemiological danger is represented by blood, semen and, to some extent, saliva, since usually only in these liquids the concentration of the virus is sufficient for infection.

Transmission of infection occurs mainly parenterally: during blood transfusions, medical procedures using non-sterile instruments, during medical procedures in dentistry, as well as during traumatic processes: tattooing and piercing. There is a possibility of infection in nail salons when performing trimmed manicures or pedicures. The contact route of transmission occurs through sexual contact and in everyday life when sharing personal hygiene items. The virus enters the human body through microdamage to the skin and mucous membranes.

The vertical route of transmission occurs intranatally; during normal pregnancy, the placental barrier for the virus is not penetrated, but in the event of placental rupture, transmission of the virus before birth is possible. The likelihood of fetal infection increases many times when HbeAg in addition to HbsAg is detected in a pregnant woman. People have a fairly high susceptibility to infection. With transfusion transmission, hepatitis develops in 50-90% of cases. The likelihood of developing the disease after infection directly depends on the dose of the pathogen received and the state of general immunity. After surviving the disease, long-term, probably lifelong immunity is formed.

The vast majority of people with hepatitis B are people aged 15-30 years. Among those who died from this disease, the proportion of drug addicts is 80%. Persons who inject drugs have the greatest risk of contracting hepatitis B. Due to frequent direct contact with blood, medical workers (surgeons and operating nurses, laboratory assistants, dentists, employees of blood transfusion stations, etc.) are also at risk for viral hepatitis IN.

Symptoms of viral hepatitis B

The incubation period of viral hepatitis B varies quite widely; the interval from the moment of infection to the development of clinical symptoms can range from 30 to 180 days. It is often impossible to estimate the incubation period of chronic hepatitis B. Acute viral hepatitis B often begins similarly to viral hepatitis A, however, its pre-icteric period can also occur in an arthralgic form, as well as in an asthenovegetative or dyspeptic form.

The dyspeptic variant of the course is characterized by loss of appetite (up to anorexia), incessant nausea, and episodes of causeless vomiting. The influenza-like form of the clinical course of the pre-icteric period of hepatitis B is characterized by an increase in temperature and general intoxication symptoms, usually without catarrhal signs, but with frequent, mainly night and morning, arthralgia (while the joints are not visually changed). After moving the joint, the pain usually subsides for a while.

If during this period there is arthralgia combined with rashes like urticaria, the course of the disease promises to be more severe. Most often, such symptoms are accompanied by fever. In the pre-icteric phase, severe weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, bleeding gums and episodes of nosebleeds (hemorrhagic syndrome) may occur.

When jaundice appears, no improvement in well-being is observed, more often the general symptoms worsen: dyspepsia, asthenia increases, skin itching appears, hemorrhages intensify (in women, hemorrhagic syndrome can contribute to the early onset and intensity of menstruation). Arthralgia and exanthema disappear during the icteric period. The skin and mucous membranes have an intense ocher tint, petechiae and rounded hemorrhages are noted, urine darkens, feces become lighter until completely discolored. The liver of patients increases in size, its edge protrudes from under the costal arch, and is painful to the touch. If, with intense icterus of the skin, the liver remains of normal size, this is a harbinger of a more severe course of the infection.

Complications of viral hepatitis B

The most dangerous complication of viral hepatitis B, characterized by a high degree of mortality, is acute liver failure (hepatargia, hepatic coma). In the case of massive death of hepatocytes and significant loss of liver functionality, a severe hemorrhagic syndrome develops, accompanied by a toxic effect of substances released as a result of cytolysis on the central nervous system. Hepatic encephalopathy develops through successively the following stages.

Precoma I: the patient’s condition sharply worsens, jaundice and dyspepsia worsen (nausea, repeated vomiting), hemorrhagic symptoms appear, patients have a specific liver odor from the mouth (nauseatingly sweet). Orientation in space and time is disturbed, emotional lability is noted (apathy and lethargy are replaced by hyperexcitation, euphoria, increased anxiety). Thinking is slowed down, sleep inversion occurs (patients cannot fall asleep at night, and during the day they feel irresistible drowsiness). At this stage, disturbances in fine motor skills are noted (missing during the finger-nose test, distortion of handwriting). In the liver area, patients may notice pain, body temperature rises, and pulse is unstable.
Prekoma II(threatening coma): disturbances of consciousness progress, it is often confused, there is complete disorientation in space and time, short-term outbreaks of euphoria and aggressiveness are replaced by apathy, intoxication and hemorrhagic syndromes progress. At this stage, signs of edematous-ascitic syndrome develop, the liver becomes smaller and disappears under the ribs. Minor tremor of the limbs and tongue is noted. The stages of precoma can last from several hours to 1-2 days. In the future, neurological symptoms worsen (pathological reflexes, meningeal symptoms, breathing disorders of the Kussmuhl, Cheyne-Stokes type may be noted) and the actual hepatic coma develops.
Terminal stage - coma, is characterized by depression of consciousness (stupor, stupor) and subsequently its complete loss. Initially, reflexes (corneal, swallowing) are preserved, patients can react to intense irritating actions (painful palpation, loud sound), later the reflexes are suppressed, the reaction to stimuli is lost (deep coma). The death of patients occurs as a result of the development of acute cardiovascular failure.

In severe cases of viral hepatitis B (fulminant coma), especially when combined with hepatitis D and hepatitis C, hepatic coma often develops into early dates and ends fatally in 90% of cases. Acute hepatic encephalopathy, in turn, promotes secondary infection with the development of sepsis, and also threatens the development of renal syndrome. Intense hemorrhagic syndrome can cause significant blood loss due to internal bleeding. Chronic viral hepatitis B develops into cirrhosis of the liver.

Diagnosis of viral hepatitis B

Diagnosis is carried out by identifying specific virus antigens in the blood serum of patients, as well as immunoglobulins to them. Using PCR, you can isolate the DNA of the virus, which allows you to determine the degree of its activity. The identification of the surface antigen HbsAg and antibodies HbcIgM is of decisive importance in making a diagnosis. Serological diagnosis is made using ELISA and RIA.

To determine the functional state of the liver in the dynamics of the disease, regular laboratory tests are performed: biochemical analysis blood and urine, coagulogram, ultrasound of the liver. The prothrombin index plays a significant role, a drop of which to 40% or below indicates the patient’s critical condition. For certain indications, a liver biopsy may be performed.

Treatment of viral hepatitis B

Complex therapy for viral hepatitis B includes dietary nutrition (liver-friendly diet No. 5 is prescribed, with variations depending on the phase of the disease and severity), basic antiviral therapy, as well as pathogenetic and symptomatic agents. The acute phase of the disease is an indication for inpatient treatment. Bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and strictly abstaining from alcohol are recommended. Basic therapy involves the administration of interferons (alpha-interferon is the most effective) in combination with ribavirin. The course of treatment and dosage are calculated individually.

As an auxiliary therapy, detoxification solutions are used (in severe cases, infusions of crystalloid solutions, dextran are carried out, corticosteroids are prescribed according to indications), means for normalizing the water-salt balance, potassium preparations, lactulose. To relieve spasms of the biliary system and the vascular network of the liver - drotaverine, aminophylline. With the development of cholestasis, UDCA drugs are indicated. In case of severe complications (hepatic encephalopathy) - intensive therapy.

Forecast and prevention of viral hepatitis B

Acute viral hepatitis B rarely leads to death (only in cases of severe fulminant course), the prognosis is significantly worse with concomitant chronic liver pathologies, with combined damage by hepatitis C and D viruses. Death of those infected with hepatitis B often occurs several decades later as a result of a chronic course and the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

General prevention of viral hepatitis B involves a set of sanitary and epidemiological measures aimed at reducing the risk of infection during blood transfusion, monitoring the sterility of medical instruments, introducing disposable needles, catheters, etc. into mass practice. Individual prevention measures involve the use of individual personal hygiene items ( razors, toothbrushes), prevention of skin injury, safe sex, abstinence from drugs. Persons included in professional group risk, vaccination is indicated. Immunity after vaccination against hepatitis B lasts about 15 years.

Hepatitis B (b) is a very insidious disease that is easier to prevent than to cure. According to official statistics from the WHO (World Health Organization), there are 350,000,000 carriers of the hepatitis B virus in the world and approximately 10,000,000 of them live in Russia. Many people don't even know they are sick.

Let's talk in more detail about the virus and find out what symptoms it is accompanied by and how to recognize it in yourself.

The human immune system, in response to a threat, attacks infected liver cells, resulting in inflammation - hepatitis.

If it is acute, then the person develops certain symptoms, which we will talk about a little later, but often no symptoms appear at all, the temperature rises slightly, but few people pay serious attention to this.

The incubation period of the virus is 2-6 months. If you contact a hepatologist or infectious disease specialist in a timely manner, then such serious consequences can really be avoided.

The earlier treatment is started, the higher the chance of maintaining a healthy liver for life.

How is it transmitted?

There are several factors influencing the development of the disease:

Unprotected sexual intercourse. The disease that we are talking about in our article is also called “newlyweds’ disease,” because very often the infection is introduced into the body through unprotected sex. The infection is found in all biological fluids of the body, for this reason the likelihood of infection during sexual contact is quite high if the couple is not protected.
Injections. Often people inject themselves, and sometimes they are given injections for cosmetic purposes outside of clinics, and in this case there is a danger of introducing infection with the needle. This also includes drug addicts.
Medical intervention. During surgical operations, infection can also enter the human body if the instruments are insufficiently sterilized. For example, during a blood transfusion or dental surgery.
Nail salon- another possible source of infection. When doing a manicure or pedicure, they sometimes injure the skin and, if manicure/pedicure instruments are not sterilized, they can actually introduce infection into the human body.
Tattoo. In tattoo parlors there is a very high probability of getting an infection, since there is constant contact with blood and due to the fact that some artists do not take sterilization of working tools seriously, this disease is quite common among visitors to tattoo parlors.
Pregnancy. If a woman is a carrier of the virus, then there is a possibility that the child will be infected during childbirth. If infected in utero, it is impossible to influence the development of the disease in the baby, but if the child becomes infected during childbirth, he is given immunoglobulin against hepatitis group B, and vaccinations that prevent the development of the disease. All other children whose mothers are not infected with the virus are immediately vaccinated at birth.

Symptoms in adults

From the moment the infection is introduced until the patient’s condition worsens, 42 to 180 days pass. Sometimes the illness begins immediately with, however, often the first signs of the disease are easily confused with the symptoms of a common flu or cold:

fast fatiguability;
lack of hunger;
discomfort;
temperature up to 38 - 40 degrees;
severe headaches;
cough, runny nose;
vomiting or nausea (less commonly);
painful attacks in muscles, joints.

This period lasts one to two weeks and during this time the patient can lose 2-4 kg. After this we observe:

darkening of urine (the color of dark beer);
yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes;
severe pain in the hypochondrium on the right;
discoloration of feces and changes in its structure;

This period is called icteric, it lasts from 2 to 12 weeks. During this time, yellowing disappears and improves general state infected, but the liver is still slightly enlarged.

Full recovery occurs in 80-90% of cases.

Symptoms in children

The manifestation of hepatitis B virus in children intensifies with the onset of the icteric period, the following is observed:

darkening of urine;
yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin;
heaviness and pain in the hypochondrium on the right;
elevated temperature up to 38 degrees.

The pre-icteric period lasts from several hours to 2-3 weeks. At this time, the child’s symptoms of a general infection predominate:

lethargy;
skin rashes;
regurgitation, vomiting;
diarrhea;
decreased appetite;
darkening of urine and discoloration of stool.

If you find these symptoms in yourself or your child, be sure to consult a specialist.

Classification

Experts identify 3 types of hepatitis B virus. Let's learn more about them.

Spicy. With this type of group B virus, patients have 3 stages of the disease. First, primary signs are observed (pre-jaundice period), after a few days the picture changes, and signs of jaundice can be seen. Liver failure is the third degree of this form of hepatitis.
Chronic. After the infection enters the human body, within a period of one month to six months, the infection becomes chronic. This type of illness is dangerous because the main symptoms of the illness are often confused with the flu. A long stay of the virus in the human body can lead to the development of cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Fulminant. With this form of hepatitis, within a few hours the patient’s brain swells and he falls into a coma. The life of most patients in the lightning stage of the disease is interrupted after entering the clinical stage, after a short period of time. Patients who survive recover and are immune to the hepatitis B virus for life.

Hepatitis B is sometimes accompanied by another type of hepatitis -

Markers

In this section, you will learn what virus markers exist and how to correctly interpret their meaning. You can decipher your analyzes yourself.

Antigens are substances that are foreign to the body and provoke the formation of antibodies. Antibodies, in turn, fight antigens and destroy them.

Antigens:

HBs (HBsAg)- the first marker of acute viral hepatitis B. The abbreviation stands for Hepatitis B surface Antigen - the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus. Simply put, HBsAg - this marker indicates the presence of infection in the blood. It occurs one to two weeks before the end of the incubation period, which lasts, recall, from 2 to 12 weeks. And it disappears after three or four caruncles after the initial entry of the infection into the blood.
HBe (HBeAg)- internal antigen that appears in the blood during the pre-icteric period. The detection of this antigen means that the virus cells are actively multiplying. If it remains in the blood for four weeks, it means the virus has become chronic.
Hbc (HBcAg)- This antigen can be detected by testing liver cells using a biopsy. Doesn't show itself in blood in any way.

Antibodies:

Anti-Hbs (HBsAb)- produced to combat the surface antigen HBsAg. These bodies appear when infected with hepatitis group B or during special vaccination. Its presence in the blood indicates that the immune system is protected.
Anti-Hbe (HBeAb)- they attack HBeAg (antigen). The appearance of such antibodies indicates that the body is properly fighting the infection.
Anti-Hbc IgM. The manifestation of these antibodies is an important confirmation for specialists that the patient has hepatitis B virus in acute form. HbcAg of the IgM class appears in the period before yellowing or at the beginning of the disease. They remain in the blood for up to 2-5 months.
Anti-Hbc IgG- they say that the patient either previously had hepatitis B group, or at the time of detection has the virus in the blood.

Prevention

Hepatitis infection can be prevented with a simple vaccination. The vaccination is administered only intramuscularly; if it was administered subcutaneously, then such a vaccination is not considered and a second injection must be given.

However, there are contraindications. The vaccine cannot be administered:

people who are allergic to products containing yeast;
mothers who are breastfeeding;
pregnant women;
children born prematurely.

The doctor will tell you more about the disease in this video.

Treatment

An infected patient can be treated at home if the illness is not severe. The first thing that is necessary is to detoxify the body. To do this you need to take a lot of clean water.

A hepatologist or infectious disease specialist prescribes therapy aimed at maintaining and restoring liver tissue. Antiviral treatment is not prescribed.

The chronic form of hepatitis is treated comprehensively and individually for each person. Antiviral medications are used to reduce the rate of viral cell reproduction. This type of therapy is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor, if there are such indications. The course lasts from six months to several years.

However, it is almost impossible to completely recover from chronic hepatitis. If you follow all the doctor's instructions, you can achieve a good course of the disease. It is worth remembering that the chronic form of the disease can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and cancer, so it is imperative to constantly monitor the condition of the body.

Diet

Food consumption during the diet should be divided into 5-6 meals a day, in small portions. Why is this necessary? During illness, appetite decreases, and split meals allow you to activate it. Plus, small portions do not put extra strain on the liver, so it can fight infection.

It is necessary to limit salt intake to 4 grams per day. Because salts cause fluid retention in the body, and this in turn leads to edema.

It is important to maintain temperature during the diet. That is, all the food you take should not be below 15 degrees and above 60, it should be just warm, but in no case hot or cold. This does not irritate the stomach and is gentle on the liver.

You should consume approximately 2-2.5 liters of fluid per day. It is advisable that these be fruit drinks, compotes, herbal teas or rosehip decoction. With this amount of fluid per day, the body detoxifies faster and the feeling of hunger is aroused.

Authorized products:

lean meat: chicken breast without skin, veal, rabbit;
vegetable soups with the addition of pasta or cereals;
porridge: buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, semolina;
boiled pasta from durum wheat;
low-fat fish: flounder, perch, hake;
egg white omelettes;
vegetables: beets, carrots, zucchini, cabbage, pumpkin, cucumbers;
fruits and berries: apples, strawberries, melon, bananas, strawberries, peaches;
boiled seafood;
low fat milk and other fermented milk products.

Often, patients who receive timely treatment are cured of the infection and gain immunity to the virus for life. In the presence of reduced immunity, the disease can become chronic. In this case, there is a possibility of developing liver cirrhosis or cancer.

The hepatitis B virus is potentially dangerous to humans. He is able to survive in any condition for a long time. A person can become infected unnoticed.

To identify the disease, you need to undergo a diagnostic examination by a specialist. Otherwise, the virus will manifest itself with terrible symptoms.

What is hepatitis B

Hepatitis AB(English: Hepatitis B virus, HBV) is an anthroponotic DNA-containing viral disease caused by a pathogen with pronounced hepatotropic properties.

The virus has negative impact to the entire human body if infection occurs. Of all the organs, it suffers the most.

In most cases, the disease occurs without pronounced symptoms. Therefore, the infection is difficult to detect on your own.

The virus passes from the asymptomatic stage into chronic hepatitis B. During this period, cancer develops or is discovered.

Hepatitis B is resistant to sudden changes in temperature and chemicals. For a long time the virus may be in dried blood. Every person should take care of the safety of their health.

Who is susceptible to infection (risk factors)?

The risk of infection is observed in the following categories of people:

age category from 20 to 50 s good immunity an acute form of the virus can be detected, further development not happening.
infected people over 40 years of age with an acute course of the virus (can become chronic).
some newborns already have the hepatitis B virus in an acute form, in most cases it becomes chronic.

Types and stages of the disease

There are several types of hepatitis B. These include:

Fulminant.
Spicy.
Chronic.

The lightning-fast progression of the virus manifests itself in cerebral edema. This causes the person to fall into a coma. People with this type of hepatitis B do not live long.

During the acute form of the virus, patients experience certain symptoms. This type has several stages:

The patient observes primary symptoms.
Exacerbation.
The disease lasts a long time.
Relapses and improvements occur.
Liver failure occurs.

Chronic hepatitis B manifests itself after six months of the virus. During this period of time, the infection is in the incubation period. When the virus enters a new stage, new symptoms appear. They are more pronounced.

Causes of hepatitis B in humans

The initial cause of hepatitis B is the entry of a pathogen into the human body. People with weakened immune systems are at risk of infection. The following factors may influence this:

alcoholic drinks;
frequent smoking;
chemical fumes or toxins;
antibiotics.

People don't lose touch with social life. The infection is not transmitted through the air. People need to maintain personal hygiene measures if they come into contact with a sick person.

The course of the infection depends on how hepatitis B is transmitted and how the person became infected. This information will help with diagnosis by a specialist. Therefore, it is necessary to know how hepatitis B is transmitted.

Chronic hepatitis B can manifest itself if a person is infected naturally.

Methods of transmission

A person should know how hepatitis B is transmitted. So that he can take action if he is near a carrier of the virus.

Hepatitis B viral infection is found in:

blood;
vaginal discharge;
sperm.

It is in these biological fluids of the carrier that the concentration of the virus is in large quantities. There are several ways to transmit the hepatitis B virus:

if you transfuse infected blood to a healthy person;
using the same syringe several times;
through medical equipment, if proper cleanliness is not carried out:
during sexual intercourse;
newborn from mother:
infection at home.

One of the most common ways of transmitting hepatitis B is through blood. This happens during injections. This can be done with non-sterile equipment.

This especially happens during a blood transfusion. Even in dentistry, there were cases when a carrier came for help, and his infected blood remained on the equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor not only ordinary people, but also to medical workers for sanitary conditions.

Often infection occurs through sexual contact. The hepatitis B virus is dangerous through unprotected sex.

The method of transmission of hepatitis B to the child during childbirth is from the mother. To reduce the risk of further progression of the virus, the baby is vaccinated.

Hepatitis B may appear in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to do preventive examinations.

Less commonly, transmission of the virus occurs through saliva. This occurs if during a kiss the mucous tissue ruptures and blood leaks out.

The routes of transmission of hepatitis are limited. In some cases, contact with the carrier is safe. These include:

if the patient sneezed or coughed heavily;
handshake;
kisses, if the covers are not damaged;
if you consume food and drinks from common containers;
Mothers can breastfeed their babies.

Symptoms of a viral infection

The development of the virus occurs secretly. In some cases, slowly if it is an incubation period. Experts identify the primary symptoms of hepatitis:

body temperature rises slightly;
there is a feeling of weakness and rapid fatigue;
no appetite;
there is pain in the joints and muscles;
infants experience frequent regurgitation;
belching for no reason and a bitter taste;
not serious inflammatory processes on the mucous membrane of the respiratory system and larynx;
hemorrhagic skin rashes.

The manifestation of the hepatitis B virus occurs individually in each person. In some cases, you can find out about the virus by the urine becoming discolored. Other people are watching:

nausea;
vomiting;
apathy;
dizziness.

On early stage Hepatitis B is manifested by bowel dysfunction. The person suffers from diarrhea or constipation. This happens at least once a week. In a person of any age, the virus can create abdominal pain.

During diagnosis, patients complain of pain when palpating the liver area.

Children feel dull or aching discomfort.

In most cases, the hepatitis virus is mistaken for a disease based on its primary symptoms. Patients feel general weakness. Temperatures can exceed 39 degrees. This symptom is often observed in infants in the first months of life.

Hepatitis B infection in children can occur without pain in the joints or muscles. However, in adults this symptom occurs in most cases. Appears along with high fever.

During diagnosis, an increase in liver size is observed. This occurs several days after infection. In individual cases, hepatitis b increases the size.

In patients, the following is observed in the tests:

increase in the number of leukocytes.
development of lymphocytosis.
the indicator is normal.

The following symptoms are observed:

the skin becomes taller);
heart rate increases;
it becomes more difficult to breathe;
bladder dysfunction;

Chronic hepatitis B has no significant symptoms in most people. In individual cases note:

general malaise;
disturbance of sleep patterns, turning into insomnia;
slight increase in temperature;
bleeding gums occur;
nosebleeds occur.

Complications of hepatitis B

Complications manifest themselves in the form of secondary diseases. These include:

hepatic encephalopathy;
increased bleeding;
cerebral edema.

Liver failure does not process toxins. Their accumulation causes brain poisoning. This may manifest itself as the following symptoms:

drowsiness during the day;
disturbance of sleep patterns, which leads to insomnia;
constant drowsiness;
nightmares;
anxiety;
hallucinations.

If a secondary disease is not detected, it will become an additional reason for falling into a coma. At the same time, the functions of other organs are disrupted.

During fulminant hepatitis, coma develops without accompanying symptoms.

The liver contains factors that help blood clot. If renal failure develops, this function is impaired. Manifests itself in the form of bleeding from different places. They can also manifest themselves internally. Therefore it is a dangerous complication.

When the virus occurs in an acute form in a patient, the complication can be expressed by cerebral edema. In other cases it may become:

respiratory failure;

Diagnostics

Hepatitis B virus can be cured if it is not in a malignant form. It is necessary to seek help in time. Delay can have a detrimental effect on the body.

First of all, the specialist conducts an examination. First, tissue palpation is done, especially the liver area. Further diagnosis is made using:

Biochemical analysis– give reason for further examination of the patient.
Ultrasound examination of the liver– helps determine the condition of the organ, identify inflammatory processes or tissue compaction.
Liver biopsies– allows you to determine viral activity if there are prerequisites for a chronic course of the disease.

In most cases, the patient is prescribed a clinical laboratory test. An immunogram determines how the body reacts to the virus.

At the same time, they are prescribed (a laboratory diagnostic method aimed at identifying pathogens of infectious diseases).

Treatment of hepatitis B virus

Treatment of hepatitis occurs in a hospital setting. Drug therapy is carried out. Under the supervision of specialists, solutions are administered. This is done intravenously. The injected substances help remove toxins from the body.

Prescribed drugs that reduce the absorption function of the intestine. Due to the inability of the liver, toxins are absorbed into the blood and cause dangerous consequences.

Treatment of acute hepatitis B can be carried out at home. Experts recommend drinking more water. This will help remove toxins from the body.

Medications are prescribed that are aimed at destroying the virus. They help restore liver function.

For recovery to be fruitful, bed rest must be observed. It is recommended to exclude physical activity. The patient is given a diet that is aimed at restoring the liver.

In some cases, the infection goes away without treatment. If the virus enters the chronic stage, then the following is prescribed:

drugs with antiviral effects, e.g. Adefovir.
medications that slow the progression of liver sclerosis, e.g. Interferons (Reaferon-EC).
– help the liver fight the virus.
Vitamins, both in tablets and in the form of injections.

In serious cases, a liver transplant is performed. This is a difficult treatment due to the long search for a donor. In this case, 2 methods are applicable:

removal of an organ from a corpse.
using a liver fragment from a close relative.

In order for a family member to become a donor, he must meet a number of criteria.

Prevention

Many people should know how to avoid infection. The following recommendations must be followed:

Maintain personal hygiene after any contact with people in in public places to wash hands.
Use contraception during sexual intercourse and try to avoid promiscuity.
Get preventive vaccinations.
Carry out activities to strengthen the immune system.

If there is close contact with a carrier of the virus, this may cause the transmission of hepatitis B. You should immediately contact a specialist. He will appoint drug prevention. The following measures will be taken:

Immunoglobulin will be administered to block the virus in the blood.
Prophylactic vaccination will be carried out.
The next clinic visit will be scheduled and a booster vaccination will be given.

Infection occurs through contact with liquid and damaged tissue surfaces of a healthy person.

If a situation arises that you have to live with a carrier of the virus, then he should know how hepatitis B is transmitted, tell him about it. When blood or other biological fluid gets on clothing, disinfection is immediately necessary.

It is machine washed at a temperature of at least 600C for 30 minutes.

Finally

A person should know how hepatitis is transmitted to protect himself. During preventive measures, you should consult your doctor. He will provide information about what it is and how to avoid getting sick from such a virus.

If you experience any symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. Even if it turns out to be a cold or other illness. In the case of a virus, neglect can cause death.

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