Infectious Hepatitis (a Disease In Humans)

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Infectious hepatitis

There are several types of hepatitis, but they all cause inflammation of the liver tissue. Infectious hepatitis also has the first name - Botkin's disease. After the viral cause of the disease was discovered, the term "infectious" appeared.

This is the most easily tolerated modification of hepatitis A. Its incubation period can last up to 50 days. A person is very susceptible to this disease and the virus that gets into the body causes 100% infection.

This type of infection among the adult population is detected in 20% of cases. The disease has a "seasonality", as more than 50% of patients become infected in the fall.

Content:

• Symptoms of Infectious Hepatitis
• Causes of infectious hepatitis
• Diagnosis of infectious hepatitis
• Treatment of infectious hepatitis
• Diet for infectious hepatitis
• Complications of infectious hepatitis
• Preventive measures

Symptoms of Infectious Hepatitis

Hepatitis is often manifested by jaundice. Due to the fact that the liver is disrupted, bile does not enter the intestines, but spreads throughout the body. The sclera of the eyes, the mucous membranes in the mouth, and the skin turn yellow. The feces become light in color, and the urine darkens. But a form is possible without manifestations of jaundice.

The main signs of the disease are:

• the temperature is higher than usual;
• general weakness;
• lack or deterioration of appetite;
• feeling nauseous or vomiting;
• stool disorders;
• a feeling of unpleasant heaviness in the liver area.

After the incubation period, the disease enters the anicteric stage. At this time, symptoms similar to a cold appear: headache, fever, runny nose and sore throat are possible. The patient's mood changes greatly from good to whiny, weakness appears. Sometimes, even at these moments, pain may occur in the right side. The duration of this stage is from 1 to 2 weeks.

Next, the icteric stage begins. It lasts almost a month and is characterized by a yellow body staining. During this period, the skin begins to itch and the liver becomes enlarged and painful. Disorders begin in the gastrointestinal tract. This is expressed by intestinal colic, bloating, vomiting and nausea. You may have constipation or loose stools.

The recovery period of the body after an illness can last 1 week, but more often it takes longer (up to 3 months). All symptoms go away gradually in reverse order.

Symptoms like these should not be ignored. It is necessary to go to the clinic and be examined by specialists. If treatment is delayed, then there is a high probability of infection of other people.

Causes of infectious hepatitis

The disease is caused by a hepatotropic virus. The word hepatotropic means that only liver tissue is affected. Almost always, the human body copes with the hepatitis A virus.

Infection is transmitted through poorly washed fruits or vegetables and dirty hands. Infection can also occur through water if feces from the sewage system get into it. Sexual contact can also be a cause. Another way is the transfusion of infected blood.

Diagnosis of infectious hepatitis

To determine the disease, the following measures are applied:

• blood chemistry;
• immunological studies;
• Ultrasound.

With hepatitis, destroyed liver cells enter the bloodstream and when analyzed, a large amount of liver enzymes are detected in it. Also, increased bilirubin in the blood characterizes the icteric stage. The type of pathogen is determined in the immunological laboratory.

Read more: The norm of bilirubin in the blood

Treatment of infectious hepatitis

Acute infectious hepatitis is treated depending on the pathogen and the severity of the disease. To restore liver cells, hepatoprotectors are prescribed. To eliminate the symptoms of body poisoning, detoxification therapy is used.

On the subject: List of the best hepatoprotectors for liver restoration

There must be bed rest, diet and sufficient amount of fluids.

The duration of treatment may be more than a month.

Diet for infectious hepatitis

Digestion processes do not take place without the participation of the liver. In infectious hepatitis, diet is important. A strict diet should provide rest for the liver.

• In the course of treatment, as well as for a long time after it, patients with hepatitis are prohibited from drinking alcohol. Since it irritates the liver cells.
• Patients are advised to give up fatty, smoked, fried and spicy foods, that is, from foods that enhance liver function.
• The menu should include easily digestible protein food without fat: fish, chicken, homemade cottage cheese, milk.

After completing the course of treatment, the diet is not canceled. Due to the fact that the liver is recovering for a long time, such a diet can last from 6 months. up to a year. The duration of the diet is prescribed by the doctor. It all depends on the degree of liver damage.

Comment. For the normal functioning of the liver, the amount of food taken is also important. Large portions cause a strong secretion of bile, respectively, the load on the diseased organ increases. When cold food comes in, the bile ducts spasm. Hence the recommendation to eat small portions of a warm temperature and at least 5 or 6 times a day.

On the subject: What can and cannot be eaten with liver disease?

Complications of infectious hepatitis

Infectious hepatitis A rarely becomes chronic. But if this happens, then cirrhosis is possible later, as well as liver cancer.

With inappropriate treatment, hepatic coma can develop. This happens very quickly and in most cases ends with the death of the patient. Dead liver tissue, entering the bloodstream, causes damage to the nervous system, which causes the vital functions of the human body to fade away.

Preventive measures

For a person who has had infectious hepatitis, physical activity or hypothermia is not recommended for a long time. You cannot even do housework (washing floors, washing). Ordinary physical exercise is not desirable either. An unexpected cold during this period can also be harmful. All loads can be resumed after three months, but only on the recommendation of a doctor.

To prevent hepatitis, all hygiene standards should be carefully observed, namely, always wash your hands well (especially after using the toilet), eat only washed fruits and vegetables. Water should not be drunk raw from unverified sources. The most reliable way to disinfect water is to boil it.

Author of the article: Kletkin Maxim Evgenievich | Hepatologist

Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Military Medical Academy. S. M. Kirov (2007). At the Voronezh Medical Academy. NN Burdenko graduated from residency in the specialty "Hepatologist" (2012).