What are hepatitis and how are they transmitted? Various types of hepatitis. … And other toxic substances

As a rule, a person who is not connected with medicine, having heard the word "hepatitis", immediately draws a picture of a deadly viral liver disease. What is hepatitis in fact, and what are its types - we will analyze in detail in this article.

Definition of concepts

Hepatitis is an extremely large group of inflammatory liver diseases caused by various causes. A prerequisite for such a diagnosis is the presence of inflammatory changes in the liver tissue.

Symptoms:

1. Yellowing of the skin, sclera of the eyes and mucous membranes.
2. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.
3. Pain and feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium.
4. General weakness, fever, chills.
5. Belching bitter, unpleasant taste in the mouth, less often - vomiting of bile.
6. Changes in blood clotting, bruising and bruising.
7. Disturbances of consciousness of varying degrees: from mild lethargy to coma.
8. Changes in laboratory parameters, especially liver tests.

It is important to understand that the picture of hepatitis, especially acute, is the same for all types of pathology, regardless of the pathogen or cause.

Types of hepatitis

Now let's talk in more detail about the causes of such inflammatory processes in the liver tissue.

Viral hepatitis

This is the most common, but by no means the only cause of inflammation of the liver. The group of viruses is very diverse and this moment includes the causative agents of hepatitis A, B, C, E, D, F and G. All these types of viral liver lesions differ from each other in the structure of the virus, the characteristics of liver cell damage, and even the methods of transmission.

• Hepatitis A or the notorious Botkin's disease. Infectionists call this type "dirty hand disease". In essence, hepatitis A is a kind of food infection, but it does not affect the digestive tract (stomach, intestines), but liver cells. Sources of infection are usually dirty water, food and household items (dishes, towels). This disease is acute with severe complaints and clinical symptoms and never becomes chronic. Most often, a person gets sick with it once in a lifetime, usually in childhood, and then has immunity to the pathogen.
• Hepatitis E is also referred to as "diseases of dirty hands". The clinic and its course are very similar to Botkin's disease. In addition to transmission through food and water, hepatitis E can also be transmitted through the blood - that is, by the parenteral route. Obstetricians and gynecologists are wary of the E form, since this type of acute hepatitis is very dangerous for pregnant women, causing massive destruction of the liver, premature birth and fetal damage.
• Hepatitis B, C and D (delta) belong to the group of so-called parenteral (that is, transmitted through the blood) liver lesions. The delta form does not exist in the patient's body on its own; for its development, the presence of the B virus is necessary. All these diseases have common features of infection, clinical course and consequences.
• Hepatitis F and G exist so far only in the form scientific research. Scientists in different countries began to isolate from the blood and liver tissue of patients with viruses that are not similar to the already known groups. According to the genetic structure and immune response, it was decided to separate such new types of pathogens into separate groups and continue to name them in alphabetical order.

Alcoholic hepatitis

This type of disease can rightly be put at number two after viral hepatitis. Unfortunately, the systematic use of far from the highest quality alcohol has become a real problem for the world community, both in the lagging behind and in the most developed countries.

Alcohol causes irreversible damage to liver cells, noticeable both at the microscopic level and on the state of the body as a whole. As a rule, hepatitis in this case is the first stage of cell damage. The inflamed tissue is gradually destroyed, being replaced by adipose and connective tissue. There is steatosis (fatty degeneration) of the liver and alcoholic cirrhosis. The latter leads to the cessation of liver function and leads to severe liver failure and death.

Toxic hepatitis

As everyone knows, the liver is the most important "filter" human body. One of its main functions is to capture and neutralize various poisons and toxic substances. Sometimes the concentration of a poisonous substance is so high that the liver cells cannot cope with it and are affected themselves.

Examples of such "liver" poisons are: alcohol (acute poisoning), arsenic, phosphorus compounds, acetaldehyde, insecticides, pesticides. Potentially, any chemical compound in high doses can cause acute toxic liver damage.

A group of special medicinal hepatitis can also be attributed to toxic hepatitis. Unfortunately, many medications, saving a person's life, can damage liver cells. As a rule, this happens with prolonged use of "heavy" drugs, their incorrect combination, violation of the dosing regimen.

Sometimes you can observe cases of individual sensitivity of the liver tissue of a particular person to a particular drug. These "dangerous" drugs include: a group of anti-tuberculosis drugs, antibiotics of the tetracycline group, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (even "safe" paracetamol), some psychotic drugs (antidepressants and tranquilizers), hypoglycemic drugs, combined oral contraceptives.

It is important to know that children are most predisposed to drug-induced hepatitis! That is why it is necessary to strictly observe the dosing regimen of drugs, namely, to use the principle of “gram of drug per kilogram of weight”, and not “amount of drug for age”, or even self-medicate “by eye”.

autoimmune hepatitis

In an isolated form, such hepatitis is a relatively rare disease, but often damage to liver cells in combination with other autoimmune diseases is becoming more common.

The nature of this disease is not clear. For some reason, cells of the immune system no longer recognize liver cells and regard them as foreign. Performing their function, immune cells do everything possible to destroy the "stranger". Thus, its own body destroys its own liver.

Viral hepatitis caused by other viruses

This includes liver damage as part of rubella, epidparotitis ("mumps"), herpes, mononucleosis, AIDS, yellow fever and other viral diseases. In this case, liver damage occurs a second time, that is, the virus enters the liver cells with blood flow from the main focus of infection.

Bacterial hepatitis

Similar to viral hepatitis, liver tissues can also be affected by bacteria. This can occur both primarily - the liver is first affected, and secondarily - the bacterium enters the liver cells from the primary focus. The picture of hepatitis is typical for leptospirosis, syphilis, listeriosis, as a secondary situation - for pneumococcal pneumonia, staphylococcal and streptococcal hepatitis. The latter are more common in newborns.

Due to the same clinical course and a large number of causes, the diagnosis and treatment of any condition suspected of hepatitis should only be handled by a doctor.

Hepatitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory liver disease that occurs as a result of infection with specific viruses or exposure to toxic substances (eg, alcohol, drugs, drugs, poisons) on the organ parenchyma. In addition, inflammatory processes in the liver can be autoimmune in nature.

The problem of hepatitis is very relevant due to the wide spread of this disease among people, its frequent asymptomatic course and high risk of infection (this applies to infectious hepatitis). In addition, the fact that a long-term inflammatory liver disease can result in the development of irreversible fibrotic changes in the organ and a pronounced one that is practically untreatable also makes this problem particularly serious.

Varieties of hepatitis

Depending on the cause of the disease, the following types of hepatitis are distinguished:

• infectious or viral. There are five main types of hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) that can cause liver inflammation. In addition, hepatitis can be one of the manifestations of other infectious diseases - rubella, etc.
• toxic. These include medicinal, alcoholic and hepatitis developing in case of poisoning with industrial and vegetable poisons. Among the drugs, antiviral, sulfanilamide drugs, antipyretics (paracetamol, ibuprofen), anticonvulsant and antitumor drugs have a special hepatotoxicity.
• Autoimmune, in which, for reasons unknown to medicine, it begins to attack its own hepatocytes (liver cells).

Depending on the characteristics of the flow, distinguish two forms of the disease:

• Acute hepatitis. It develops suddenly, accompanied by symptoms of intoxication, elevated temperature body, jaundice (but not always). According to this scenario, most viral hepatitis develops and toxic hepatitis caused by poisoning with some strong poisons. If the patient undergoes the necessary treatment in a timely manner, after an acute illness, in most cases, recovery occurs.
• chronic hepatitis. It may be due to acute viral hepatitis, autoimmune processes, the result of alcohol abuse or long-term treatment with hepatotoxic drugs. In addition, viral hepatitis B and C can develop immediately as a primary chronic illness. Chronic hepatitis occurs, usually without severe symptoms, so it is often diagnosed when there is already serious damage in the liver.

What happens with hepatitis?

The mechanism of development of infectious and non-infectious hepatitis is somewhat different. In viral hepatitis B, viruses invade liver cells and change the set of protein structures on their surface, so the immune system begins to kill hepatocytes. The more viruses are introduced into the cells, the more extensive damage to the liver occurs. Further, the normal liver parenchyma is replaced by connective tissue, that is, cirrhosis complicates hepatitis. In this case, the function of the organ cannot but suffer. The detoxification ability of the liver is most noticeably disturbed, as a result of which bilirubin and other toxic substances accumulate in the body.

Hepatitis C develops according to a slightly different mechanism: viruses damage hepatocytes on their own, so with this disease, fibrotic changes in the liver appear faster, and the risk of cancer increases many times over. With toxic hepatitis caused by strong poisons, liver damage can be fulminant, accompanied by massive necrosis of the organ.

Drug-induced hepatitis also has different mechanisms of development, since each drug has its own specific effect. For example, some block enzymes and disrupt biochemical processes occurring in hepatocytes, others damage the cell membrane and intracellular structures (mitochondria), etc.

In chronic cases, fatty degeneration of the liver develops first, and already at the next stage - hepatitis. In addition, acetaldehyde (a product of ethanol metabolism) has a pronounced toxic effect on hepatocytes, so if a lot of it is formed, for example, with severe alcohol poisoning, organ necrosis may develop.

Can you get hepatitis?

Only viral hepatitis is contagious. Moreover, they can become infected in different ways:

• Through dirty hands, dishes, contaminated water and food. This is how hepatitis A and E are transmitted.
• Through contact with the patient's blood. In this regard, many medical and dental procedures, manicure, pedicure, tattooing, piercing, injecting drug use, etc. are dangerous. This route of transmission is typical for viral hepatitis B, C, D.
• Sexually. Semen and vaginal secretions of patients with hepatitis B, C, D can also contain viruses. The risk of infection is especially high in homosexual relationships.

Hepatitis symptoms

The first signs of acute hepatitis:

• Increase in body temperature.
• Soreness and heaviness in the right hypochondrium.
• Jaundice of the skin and eyes.
• Discoloration of feces.
• Skin itching.
• Nausea.
• Darkening of the urine.
• Marked weakness.

However, it should be noted that the presence of these features is not required. In mild cases, the disease can begin unnoticed by the patient - just like a mild ailment.

Chronic hepatitis is asymptomatic much more often than acute hepatitis.. Patients often learn about the disease in the process of some planned examinations. If there are symptoms, then they are usually unexpressed and non-specific. So, patients may be concerned about:

• Feeling of heaviness and fullness in the right side, worse after eating.
• Tendency to bloating.
• Periodic nausea.
• Loss of appetite.
• Increased fatigue.

If the described symptoms occur, it is necessary to contact a therapist, an infectious disease specialist or a hepatologist.

Diagnosis of hepatitis

To diagnose hepatitis and identify its cause, the patient needs to conduct a comprehensive examination:

• Clinical examination(the doctor may detect an increase in the liver, a change in the color of the skin and mucous membranes).
• Ultrasound of the abdomen.
• Laboratory analysis for hepatitis. If viral hepatitis is suspected, it is necessary to look for markers of hepatitis in the blood. For this, two methods are used - , . If autoimmune inflammation of the liver is suspected, antibodies to the cellular structures of hepatocytes (nucleus, microsomes, plasma membrane antigens, etc.) are looked for.
• Biochemical blood test, which makes it possible to identify signs of dysfunction of the organ and the destruction of its cells. The patient is analyzed for the so-called liver tests (ALT, AST, total, direct and indirect, alkaline phosphatase, proteins).
• Liver biopsy. This diagnostic method allows you to accurately assess the condition of the liver (are there signs of inflammation, sclerosis, etc.).

Principles of treatment

In the treatment of any hepatitis, three points are important: properly selected drug therapy, diet and the rejection of all unhealthy habits.

Medical treatment has two goals:

• Eliminate the cause of the disease.
• Restore liver function and prevent further organ damage.

The therapy intended to fulfill the first point is determined by the etiology of hepatitis:

• if the viral nature of the disease is proven, the patient is prescribed antiviral drugs and interferons;
• if toxic - specific antidotes, sorbents, detoxification therapy;
• if autoimmune - glucocorticosteroids.

To restore liver function and protect the organ from harmful effects appoint hepatoprotectors. There are a large number of such drugs, the active ingredient in them can be one of the following substances:

• Silymarin is derived from milk thistle. This substance stops the processes of peroxidation and destruction of hepatocytes.
• Essential phospholipids, which are elements cell membranes hepatocytes, contribute to their restoration and normalization of metabolic processes in liver cells.
• Ornithine. It protects not only liver cells, but also cleanses the body of toxins.
• Lecithin (it is also a phospholipid).
• Ademetionine is a substance derived from the amino acid methionine, which normalizes the biochemical processes occurring in the liver.

diet for hepatitis

Basic rules of the diet indicated for hepatitis.

Viral hepatitis is a pathology of an infectious type, which is aimed at affecting the entire liver and subsequently leads to an inflammatory process in the tissues of this organ. The disease does not have any restrictions regarding both the age category and gender; it can affect both men, women, and children. The main source of the disease is a virus that enters the body healthy person by transmission from an infected patient. Each type of disease has its own mechanism for the transition of the virus. Types of hepatitis will be discussed in this article.

Classification

To date, 7 types of hepatitis are differentiated. They are designated in Latin letters: A, B, C, D, E, G, F. 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 to establish the correct diagnosis, as a rule, does not work. Laboratory tests are used to determine the types of viral influence, but instrumental diagnostics may also be required as an addition. Treatments are mainly conservative, although in some situations a decision may be made about the necessary surgical intervention.

Ways of infection

Consider what types of hepatitis can be caught by household, blood contact and other ways. Note that hepatitis is caused by one or another type of pathogens, as well as their combination. Regardless of the type of disease, the main carrier of the disease is always a person.

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 common household items with an already infected person.

Viral hepatitis types B and C can often be transmitted through direct contact 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 its occurrence, a person must first have been ill with a viral lesion of the liver 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 infections that are transmitted through the blood. But, in addition, infection can be carried out through the use of contaminated water and food.

Hepatitis G virus enters the body of a healthy individual through the 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, whose pathogen can be transmitted by the fecal-oral, as well as hematogenous route.

Thus, from all of the above, it follows that the main ways of the transition of viruses are:

Rarer ways of transmission

There are also more rare ways of transmitting this infectious disease:

• infection through the airborne method, in which only hepatitis "A" can be caught, this explains its wide distribution mainly among children;
• breastfeeding a child, but only if there are violations of the structural integrity of the maternal nipples, or the oral mucosa in an infant;
• kisses, in which infection is carried out during a severe course of the disease, in particular, we are talking about hepatitis C, and, in addition, in the case of wounds or sores in the oral cavity, both in a healthy and infected person;
• oral sex.

It should be said that the predisposition of people to a particular type of virus always depends on the health of their immune system. A number of etiological factors can be excluded automatically if you try to follow the basic rules for the prevention of all kinds of viral hepatitis.

Types of hepatitis

There are several categories of classifications for viral hepatitis, the first of which involves the division of diseases depending on the process of its course, namely:

Forms of the course of the disease

Depending on the manifestation of symptoms, there are:

• 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.
• Subclinical form, which differs in 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 establishment of the disease occurs with the help of data that are 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 this will help to avoid infection. Like any other disease, this or that ailment can manifest itself in both acute and chronic forms. Depending on which of the viruses 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 of the types of hepatitis has a number of degrees of severity of the course of the disease:

• mild degree;
• moderate;
• severe or complicated.

Time periods of illness

The typical course of infections has four time periods:

1. Incubation - the time that must pass from the moment of infection to the onset of the first symptoms.
2. Prodromal, characterized by a slight manifestation of clinical signs, which in a large number of situations are simply ignored by patients.
3. Icteric, considered the height and peak of the disease;
4. Recovery, which can often be confused with the chronicity of the disease. What are the types of hepatitis?

In addition to the standard form of leakage, viral hepatitis can also be anicteric or erased. Separately, it is also necessary to highlight the most dangerous course of a 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 the occurrence of life-threatening complications can occur as early as two weeks.

We looked at the types of hepatitis. Treatment of each of them should be comprehensive, and most importantly, timely. To do this, you need to consult a doctor on time so as not to miss precious time.

Types of hepatitis, common symptoms

Each type of this disease has its own clinical picture. But there are a number of signs that can be observed on initial stages all types of hepatitis

• weakness or fatigue for no reason;
• malaise and decreased ability to work;
• headache;
• a slight increase in temperature indicators, but, as a rule, not more than 37.5 degrees;
• a sharp decrease in appetite;
• the presence of pain in the joints and muscles;
• violation of the chair;
• palpable discomfort in the region 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;
• the growth of the size of the diseased organ, which can be easily determined by palpation.

Hepatitis B

Among the clinical symptoms of hepatitis "B" doctors note:

• a sharp aversion and rejection of any smells of food;
• a significant change in the volume of the spleen;
• bad sleep;
• feeling of dryness in the mouth;
• the presence of heaviness in the head;
• frequent bouts of nausea, which can sometimes lead to vomiting;
• skin itching for no reason.

Hepatitis C

This type of disease is characterized by the fact that it occurs without the presence of pronounced symptoms. True, sometimes they can 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.

Recall that the ways of infection of hepatitis C type 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 drop in blood pressure;
• persistent stuffy nose;
• sore throat and cough;
• bouts of periodic nausea;
• weakness and weakness in well-being;
• 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 ways of infection and treatment of type F hepatitis differ little from similar actions in other types of this disease. Only the icteric form of the course of the disease has some characteristic differences. At the same time, there are:

• the occurrence of rashes on the skin of unknown etiology;
• skin itching;
• changes in the skin and visible mucous membranes due to their acquisition of a yellowish tint;
• the appearance of bitterness in the mouth;
• the occurrence of belching and heartburn;
• dark urine;
• loss of color in faeces.

The disease is worst among the children's category of patients, the elderly, as well as in people with HIV infection and women during childbearing.

The methods of therapy will also depend on the type of hepatitis and the ways of infection. But before that, a thorough diagnosis is necessary.

Diagnosis of the presence of an 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 mandatory 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, which will make it possible to establish the clinical picture of the course of the disease.
• Acquaintance of the doctor with the history of the infection, as well as the history of the patient's life, which will indicate the causes and ways of transmission of the virus.
• Carrying out a detailed physical examination, which will be aimed at palpation and percussion of the anterior walls of the abdominal cavity. In this situation, it is desirable to pay special attention to the area under the right ribs, to measure temperature and blood pressure, in addition, to study the condition of the skin and sclera.

Laboratory studies on 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 detecting markers of hepatitis.
• Microscopic examination of feces.
• Evaluation of the ability of blood to the clotting process.
• enzyme immunoassays.

As part of the instrumental methods of examining a patient, the following have significant diagnostic value:

• Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound.
• Liver biopsy.

Treatment of viral hepatitis

Types of hepatitis and modes of transmission of infection have been studied for a long time. This allowed us to develop an effective treatment algorithm. Conservative therapies include:

• taking medications;
• compliance with a sparing diet, all patients suffering from viral hepatitis are prescribed diet number five;
• physiotherapy activities and procedures;
• using recipes from the realm 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 have appeared, as well as untimely access to 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 to avoid the onset of the disease. All preventive measures are divided into specific and non-specific. First category preventive measures viral hepatitis involves vaccination. It is important to emphasize that in our time there is a vaccination only against hepatitis A and B. The rest of the varieties of the disease require compliance with the following general rules:

• maintaining active and healthy lifestyle life;
• implementation of all necessary safety rules during contact with any human biological fluids, as well as in the treatment of infected patients;
• food exclusively with proven products;
• a ban on the use of household items of an infected person;
• having sex only when necessary protection is available;
• constant passage of various preventive medical supervision.

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 the most dangerous, as they lead to relapses and chronicity. In addition, any acute form of viral hepatitis can be fatal. The article described the types of hepatitis, ways of infection, treatment, prevention.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver, due to damage to the liver tissues, a significant aggravation of the general condition of the body occurs. With an asymptomatic course of the disease and in the absence of timely treatment, hepatitis becomes chronic and eventually leads to cirrhosis of the liver and cancer.

When it enters the human body, the hepatitis virus infects the liver tissues, causes inflammation in them, and then there is a gradual replacement of the liver parenchyma with connective tissue. During this period, the main functions of the body are violated. Thus, the liver ceases to produce enzymes necessary for blood clotting and the digestive process. In the blood, the level of bilirubin (bile pigment) rises, jaundice appears. Most clearly, it manifests itself on the skin, mucous membrane of the soft palate and sclera.

Due to a violation of blood clotting, with the slightest blows, serious hematomas appear, there is a threat of internal bleeding. In the absence of proper treatment or severe course diseases, liver cells are affected more and more, the set of symptoms becomes brighter, the liver increases in size and completely ceases to perform its functions. Hepatitis in this stage is fatal.

Types of hepatitis

Currently, there are several types of viral hepatitis:

• hepatitis A. This is the most common type of virus, which has the most favorable picture of the course of the disease. Its symptoms and signs appear a week to two months after infection of the body. This form of hepatitis in rare cases becomes chronic, sometimes ends with a complete self-healing of the body;
• hepatitis b. This is a dangerous form of hepatitis, which is accompanied by severe symptoms. It requires mandatory treatment in a hospital using a full range of drugs, compliance strict regime nutrition, as well as the rejection of bad habits. In 80% of cases, hepatitis B ends with a complete cure of a person from the virus. It is possible to protect yourself from the disease with the help of vaccination;
• hepatitis C. This is the most severe form of the disease, which is often accompanied by viral hepatitis of other groups. There is currently no effective vaccine for hepatitis C. The disease is difficult to treat and in every 7th infected, it leads to chronic hepatitis with subsequent occurrence of cirrhosis of the liver and cancer;
• hepatitis D. This is another form of viral hepatitis that is similar in course to group B hepatitis. The difference in viruses is the presence of a delta agent;
• hepatitis E. In terms of the totality of symptoms, this infection is similar to hepatitis form A. The disease is also amenable to complete cure with timely access to specialists. If it develops into a chronic stage, it affects not only the liver, but also the kidneys. This form is dangerous for women who are on recent months pregnancy.

Also, viral hepatitis differs in the form of the course of the disease:

• acute hepatitis;
• chronic hepatitis.

Acute hepatitis most often manifests itself obvious symptoms and signs of disease chronic disease is considered when the virus is not treatable within 6 months.

Causes

The main causes of hepatitis:

• viral infection;
• alcohol addiction;
• drug intoxication.

In more rare cases, hepatitis virus is caused by other infections, such as cytomegalovirus, herpes, etc.

Hepatitis groups A and E most often enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract. This is facilitated by:

• unprocessed fruits and vegetables;
• unwashed hands;
• contaminated water or food.

Viruses of other groups enter the human body mainly through the blood. The disease is transmitted:

• during childbirth from mother to child;
• during sexual intercourse;
• during transfusion of infected blood and its products;
• when using non-sterile syringes and medical instruments;
• during the use of non-sterile needles in tattoo parlors and untreated manicure tools.

Autoimmune causes of hepatitis of different groups are also distinguished, but what provokes such a reaction of the body is currently unknown by scientists. In the case of an autoimmune reaction, the body produces antibodies to the cells and tissues of the liver. This provokes the development of the disease and aggravates its further course.

Viral hepatitis: symptoms and signs of the disease

Symptoms and signs of acute hepatitis

The most obvious manifestations of hepatitis are jaundice of the skin, eyeballs and mucous membrane of the upper palate. In rare cases, the skin, as well as the sclera, may not change its color, but jaundice always affects the soft palate.

In addition, the patient may observe:

• an increase in body temperature observed for several weeks;
• headache;
• general fatigue and fatigue;
• loss of appetite;
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhea;
• the appearance of an unpleasant bitter taste in the mouth;
• pain in the right hypochondrium;
• spider veins on the skin;
• frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising;
• darkening of urine and discoloration of feces.

Hepatitis: signs of a chronic form

During the transition of hepatitis to a chronic form, the symptoms remain the same, but their severity decreases. In addition, there are:

• nausea;
• loss of appetite;
• periodic vomiting and diarrhea;
• general fatigue and decreased performance;
• gradual weight loss.

In the absence of proper treatment of hepatitis of different groups, signs of oncological diseases and cirrhosis of the liver are added to these symptoms.

Hepatitis: diagnostic methods

As a rule, hepatitis is diagnosed during the patient's visit to the doctor with complaints or during preventive examinations.

As part of a regular appointment with a therapist or gastroenterologist, a specialist performs palpation of the liver area. With hepatitis, it always increases in size.

In addition to the survey, history taking and palpation, materials are taken for laboratory tests.

The standard framework for diagnosing hepatitis involves:

• clinical analysis of blood, urine and feces;
• biochemical blood test
• PCR diagnostics of viral hepatitis
• Fibrotest and Fibromax (determination of the degree of liver fibrosis).

In the course of research, the belonging of the virus to one of the groups of hepatitis and its amount (viral load) is determined.

An ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs is also mandatory.

In some cases, you may need:

• study of the hepatic ducts and bile ducts (cholegraphy);
• puncture biopsy of the liver.

Hepatitis: courses of treatment

Treatment of acute forms

Acute hepatitis should be treated immediately. The sooner it is started, the greater the likelihood of a full recovery.

Treatment of any form of hepatitis in the acute period is always carried out within the hospital. The main functions of drug treatment:

• body detoxification;
• the fight against the virus that provoked the development of the disease;
• relief or complete suppression of inflammatory processes in the liver.

Taking drugs is prescribed both intravenously and orally. Also, patients with hepatitis are prescribed vitamin complexes, which necessarily include: calcium, potassium, manganese. At the discretion of the doctor, oxygen therapy may be included in the course of treatment of hepatitis of different groups.

During treatment, diet No. 5A is mandatory (to reduce the load on the liver).

Treatment of viral forms of hepatitis involves hospitalization of the patient in the infectious diseases department, in case of a toxic form of hepatitis, treatment is carried out in the toxicology department.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis

Chronic hepatitis involves constant monitoring of the state of the body throughout life. To do this, it is necessary to regularly perform a number of laboratory and instrumental diagnostic procedures.

Treatment of hepatitis of different groups is carried out in courses with mandatory breaks. When drugs are not taken, the patient is prescribed a mandatory diet No. 5. During periods of exacerbation of hepatitis, diet No. 5A is prescribed.

Chronic hepatitis, depending on the causes of the disease, involves taking the following drugs:

• hepatoprotectors that have a beneficial effect on liver cells - hepatocytes;
• vitamin complexes;
• antiviral drugs;
• immunosuppressants and corticosteroids, in case of autoimmune hepatitis.

It is mandatory to carry out the procedure of detoxification of the body.

The patient must give up alcohol and smoking, which only aggravate the condition of the liver tissues. Physical exercise during the period of normalization of the state are allowed, but moderate, so as not to cause overwork of the body.

In the treatment of hepatitis different forms cases when the disease develops rapidly (from the moment of infection and the onset of symptoms to global liver damage, there is little time) are quite rare.

Hepatitis: disease prevention

Compliance with preventive measures can partially protect the body from hepatitis, as well as prevent periods of exacerbation in those who are already sick. Disease prevention includes:

• observance of hygiene rules, it is necessary to wash hands with soap before each meal;
• proper processing of food products;
• giving up alcohol and smoking.

Preventive measures also include vaccination. To date, during the first years of life, children are subject to mandatory vaccination against hepatitis B. This allows you to protect the body from damage to the liver by this virus.

One of the most dangerous diseases of the internal organs is hepatitis. It is an inflammatory process that develops in the liver parenchyma. Currently open different types and hepatitis genotypes.

Varieties of hepatitis

Hepatitis is a fairly common disease. Hepatitis is 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 can be called acute viral hepatitis, which is characterized by inflammation and necrosis of the liver tissues. This pathological condition is caused by various viruses. They are often transmitted through food products, water. The presence of dirty hands also contributes to the development of the disease, but sometimes viruses can penetrate by airborne droplets. Another group can enter the body by the parenteral route.

Consider the varieties 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 gums, solitary tubercles.

Infectious hepatitis is classified as diffuse hepatitis with a predominant lesion of the parenchyma of a significant part or all of the liver tissue. The disease can develop with pneumonia, scarlet fever. It can lead to hepatitis if poisoning with vapors of phosphorus, mercury, benzene, arsenic, lead and some others has occurred. 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 has established toxic hepatitis, then this happened as a result of industrial, alcoholic, medicinal and food damage.

Methods of infection

Currently, doctors distinguish several ways of infection:

• airborne;
• fecal-oral;
• through the blood;
• intrauterine.

The infection quite often enters the body by airborne droplets. This is possible when communicating with a sick person, sneezing. Pathogenic bacteria quickly penetrate the body, inflammation soon appears, leading to the development of the disease. Often family members of the infected person and people who are together with the patient in the same team get sick.

Fecal-oral infection is the second largest pathogenic bacteria penetration. The virus is excreted by a sick person along with feces. Then the bacterium enters food and water, and together with them it is able to infect a healthy person. A pathogenic microorganism can be transmitted if sanitary and hygienic standards are not observed.

In addition, pathogenic bacteria can exist inside the water supply for a long time. Usually, hepatitis A and E groups develop in this way. In this case, the patient may be a carrier of the infection, but at the same time not actively get sick. He can be diagnosed by chance, during the passage of a medical commission.

Human infection occurs through contact with infected blood. Usually, 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 enter the body through sexual contact. Usually a similar phenomenon is observed in the presence of type B hepatitis in one of the partners.

Quite rarely, the infection can be transmitted from mother to child during its intrauterine development. Contributes to an increased risk of the presence of an active form of the virus in a woman. In addition, an infection can penetrate if an acute form of hepatitis was transferred to the patient during the last term of pregnancy. In this case, it is shown caesarean section which will help prevent the risk of infection.

A factor in the development of the disease can be tattooing, acupuncture, ear piercing if the master uses non-sterile 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 observe the rules of personal hygiene, do not eat unwashed vegetables and fruits, drink only boiled water. There are many ways of infection, but to prevent the disease, a person needs to undergo a medical examination every year. Children under 18 years of age should regularly check the Mantoux reaction. Early detection of pathology contributes to its early elimination.