Viral infections are the most common human diseases. Viruses are parasites that, when introduced into the cell, destroy it, resulting in disruption of various organs and systems. One of these pathologies is hepatitis B, which begins to manifest itself with the development of clinical symptoms and a deterioration in the patient's well-being.

What is hepatitis B, a general characteristic

This is a viral liver disease, which manifests itself in various clinical options. It can be both asymptomatic and a destructive process in the organ.

In this case, the disease is autoimmune in nature, resulting in the death of liver cells (hepatocytes) with subsequent impairment of its functions.

The virus poses a great danger to humans due to the following properties:

  • remains viable for a certain time, both when heated to a temperature of 100 degrees, and with multiple freezing;
  • it is difficult to study the properties of the virus, since culturing it in the laboratory is a significant difficulty;
  • It is resistant to many disinfectants.

Due to its stability properties in the external environment, the contagiousness (contagiousness) of the virus remains very high, which is determined by its presence in all biological environments of the body.

Forms and stages of the virus

According to the duration of the course of the disease, hepatitis "B" can occur in acute or chronic form with the absence of clinical manifestations, the presence of jaundice or without it.In its course, the pathological process goes through the following stages of development:

  • incubation or latent period;
  • prodromal period (preicteric stage);
  • the height of the disease (icteric period);
  • recovery (convalescence).

After going through all stages of development, the disease can end in complete recovery, leaving a stable immunity, or pass into chronic hepatitis B with the danger of liver cirrhosis.

Read also:cardiac insufficiency of the stomach - what is it

How is the disease transmitted?

How is the disease most often transmitted, in what ways, and what role can the virus carrier play in this process? Transmission of infection is carried out from a sick patient or from a healthy person, but a virus carrier, through contact with the biological environment of the body. These are urine, tear fluid, blood, semen, milk from a nursing mother.

But most often the virus is transmitted parenterally, and hepatitis B infection is possible in the following cases:

  • with intramuscular or intravenous injections using infected syringes;
  • with blood transfusion;
  • in the treatment of teeth through non-sterile dental instruments;
  • during surgical interventions;
  • in nail salons through poorly crafted tools;
  • in rooms when tattooing or piercing.

A contact route of transmission of the virus is also possible, but in a much smaller volume, which occurs under domestic conditions or during intimate contacts through the slightest damage to the skin or mucous membranes.

Infection with the fetal virus can occur during pregnancy if there is damage to the placenta or during childbirth. With a normal pregnancy, the blood-brain barrier for the virus is impassable.

The first signs in men and women

The first signs of the disease begin to appear at the end of the incubation period, which can be quite long and last up to 6 months. The initial manifestations of the disease can last from several hours to a month.

Sometimes, during hepatitis B, clinical manifestations of this stage may be absent, and an icteric form of pathology immediately develops. But, most often, the preicteric stage of the disease develops according to the following options, with the predominance of certain clinical symptoms:

  • dyspeptic option - characterized by a decrease in appetite, sometimes even a complete refusal of food, constant nausea, vomiting, cause pain in the stomach, a violation of the intestines;
  • flu-like variant - malaise, weakness, fever up to 37.2-37.4 degrees, body aches, mainly at night or in the morning, are noted. Catarrhal phenomena are absent;
  • asthenovegetative option - manifested by weakness, increased fatigue, even with slight physical exertion, headaches, drowsiness. Possible subfebrile condition or the development of a febrile state;
  • arthralgic option - pronounced soreness in large joints, but without their visible changes, fever, rashes on the skin in the form of urticaria comes to the fore. Joint pain may temporarily subside after active movement. Perhaps the development of hemorrhagic syndrome in the form of bleeding gums or nosebleeds.

Clinical manifestations of the preicteric period of hepatitis B develop in men and women almost identically. But in women, abundant periods may appear in combination with menstrual irregularities. Such unclear symptoms of the disease are often accompanied by independent treatment, which does not give a positive effect.

And only after a certain time, poor health makes patients, especially men, turn to a specialist. And sometimes and only after the appearance of jaundice.

Important! The appearance of unclear symptoms and a deterioration in general condition require mandatory consultation and examination by a specialist to determine the cause of ill health.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B

After the prodromal period, the disease passes into its active stage with pronounced clinical manifestations. The appearance of jaundice often does not bring an improvement in well-being. The disease progresses and is manifested by the following symptoms:

  • dyspeptic symptoms increase in the form of nausea, vomiting, intestinal upset;
  • skin rashes and joint pain disappear, but itchy skin appears;
  • the color of the skin and sclera of the eyes acquire a bright yellow color;
  • urine is painted in dark color, and feces - in a light shade;
  • asthenic phenomena in the form of weakness, loss of strength, dizziness, increase;
  • the phenomena of hemorrhagic syndrome are aggravated, and round hemorrhages may appear on the skin;
  • the liver, increasing in size, begins to protrude from under the costal arch and pain appears when it is palpated;
  • there is a moderate decrease in blood pressure and a slowing of the pulse (bradycardia).

Often, liver enlargement in hepatitis B is accompanied by similar changes in the spleen (splenomegaly). But if, with severe jaundice, the liver remains beyond the edge of the costal arch, that is, an organ does not increase, this symptom indicates a more severe course of the disease. In this case, bradycardia is replaced by tachycardia.

As a rule, the duration of the icteric period is about a month, but sometimes more, it all depends on the severity of the pathological process and the patient’s immunity. Gradually, the disease regresses when jaundice stops and the disease goes into the recovery phase.

At this time, dyspeptic disorders, joint pain, and the color of urine and feces are restored. But the reduction of the liver to its normal size can take several months.

With congestion in the gallbladder, hepatitis B, the symptoms of which may not be pronounced, becomes sluggish in character with a transition to a chronic form. This process often leads to the development of cirrhosis.

Diagnostic measures

The difficulty in determining the disease in the early stages of its development lies in the long incubation period, as well as in the atypical symptoms of the prodromal stage. The diagnosis of hepatitis B is established on the basis of history, laboratory and instrumental methods of research.

The diagnosis of hepatitis B is confirmed by a study of blood serum and the determination of specific virus antigens and their immunoglobulins in it. The degree of activity of the virus is determined using PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which allows to isolate the DNA of the pathogen.

The functional state of the liver is investigated by the following laboratory tests:

  • blood for a general analysis;
  • urine for general analysis;
  • blood chemistry;
  • blood coagulogram (coagulability);
  • Ultrasound of the liver;
  • According to indications, a histological examination of a liver biopsy.

Laboratory diagnostics are carried out in dynamics to monitor the process of the disease, as well as the results of treatment of viral hepatitis.

How to treat hepatitis B

Therapy of the disease involves a comprehensive and high-quality treatment aimed at removing inflammatory processes and restoring liver function. In the acute form of the disease, therapy of the disease is indicated in a hospital setting.

Therapeutic measures for the relief of pathological symptoms, depending on the severity of the condition, include the appointment of the following drugs:

  • antiviral agents - Alpha-Interferon, Ribavirin;
  • detoxification agents - intravenous droppers with solutions, according to indications, the introduction of corticosteroid drugs;
  • to normalize water-salt metabolism - potassium preparations;
  • restorative treatment;
  • vitamin therapy;
  • hepatoprotectors - Essentiale, Legalon, Carsil;
  • to relieve spasm of the biliary tract and blood vessels of the liver - Drotaverin, Eufillin;
  • in the presence of congestive bile - Urosan, Ursofalk.

All activities and medicines are prescribed by a specialist who determines the course of treatment and its duration.

Active therapy for viral hepatitis B involves compliance with bed rest, water balance with adequate fluid intake and strict diet.

Therapeutic diet

Clinical nutrition, with liver damage by the virus, plays an important role in restoring its normal functioning, along with drug therapy. In this case, the food is signed according to table No. 5. In addition, certain rules must be observed, which include:

  • fractional nutrition with an interval of 3-4 hours in small portions with a volume of not more than 150-200 g at a time;
  • food should be steamed or cooked. Any fried and fatty foods are completely excluded from the diet;
  • food should be at a comfortable temperature;
  • Mandatory intake of up to 2 liters of liquid in the form of mineral water without gas, green tea, compote, herbal decoctions;
  • alcohol and colored carbonated drinks, beer, strong black tea and coffee are excluded from use;
  • smoked, canned foods, sausages, various salted and pickled vegetables, spices, mushrooms, fatty protein foods (meat and fish) are contraindicated;
  • salt intake is reduced to 2 g per day.

Such dietary restrictions contribute to the quickest recovery of affected liver tissue. Preference in the diet of patients with viral hepatitis B is given to light but high-calorie foods that make the diet balanced and complete.

These are various cereals, vegetarian soups, diet veal, poultry, dairy products, fruits, fresh and boiled vegetables in salads with vegetable oil.

Since the restoration of liver function takes a long time, diet must be constant. Any errors in nutrition can lead to an exacerbation of the chronic process and the progression of the disease.

Disease vaccinations

A hepatitis B vaccine is used to protect the body from a viral infection. Vaccination is contraindicated in a specific contingent of individuals, which include:

  • pregnant women;
  • children born with low weight;
  • nursing mothers.

A special approach for vaccination is necessary for young children. Vaccination is carried out against the background of the full health of the child, and only at the conclusion of the pediatrician.

Vaccination against the virus is carried out according to the scheme and involves three times intramuscular injection of the drug. This is on the day of treatment, after 30 days and after 2 or 6 months.

Predictions of how much you live with the disease

Timely diagnosed viral hepatitis B and quality treatment, make the prognosis positive, and the life expectancy of patients does not differ from healthy people.

But if there is a combination of infection with chronic pathology of the internal organs, the prognosis becomes negative. As a rule, such patients die after decades from cirrhosis of the liver or its transformation into cancer.

Preventive measures

Prevention of viral hepatitis B involves a set of specific and nonspecific measures aimed at preventing infection. This is vaccination of the population and health education to comply with various hygiene measures, including the following measures:

  • washing hands after using the toilet and the street;
  • washing vegetables and fruits with running water;
  • the exclusion of non-traditional intimate relationships;
  • practice safe sex;
  • the presence of individual items of personal hygiene;
  • increase the body's defenses.

But the most effective method of preventing hepatitis B is vaccination, which gives immunity from the virus for 5-6 years.By observing personal hygiene and having been vaccinated, you can reliably protect yourself from infection and prevent the development of such a serious illness as hepatitis B.

Similar:More from the author: