Georgian

 

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is inflammation of liver. Most common types of hepatitis virus are A, B, C, D and they are characterized with the following clinical features:

    • Yellowness;
    • Lost appetite and overall fragility;
    • Pain in joints and stomach;
    • Nausea and vomiting;
    • Diarrhea;
    • Dark urine;
    • Discolored stool;
    • Spots around the body;
    • Increased body temperature.

The said symptoms may develop with different intensity. It is possible that the illness progresses without any symptoms. Hepatitis may be acute or chronic development. Despite the fact that various hepatitis may be transmitted through different means, the above listed symptoms are broadly common for all types of hepatitis.

Hepatitis A (a.k.a. Botkin) is expressed in acute and relatively positive development. Virus leading to hepatitis gets into the human body through contaminated food and water or by violating personal hygiene norms (taking in food with dirty hands). During the acute period of the disease the patient needs to stay in bed. S/he may recover soon (in about 1 month) and without any remnants. Disease does not transform into the chronic phase.

Prevention of Hepatitis A is possible by keeping personal and public hygiene norms (by washing hands before each and every food intake, by washing products, etc.)

Hepatitis B may progress both acutely and chronically. In about 30 per cent of cases signs of illness are not clearly expressed. Hepatitis B belongs to sexually transmitted diseases. The virus may be passed over through the following means:

    • By using somebody else’s tooth brush;
    • By using somebody else’s shave;
    • Unprotected (without using condoms) sex, be it vaginal, oral or anal;
    • During tattooing;
    • By using somebody else’s used syringe or needle for medical purposes;
    • During injection drug usage.

Hepatitis C frequently progresses in a chronic (prolonged) form. About 80 per cent of the infected persons do not have clearly expressed signs of illness. Hepatitis C is mainly transmitted by blood, though unprotected (without condom) sex with multiple partners may bear the risk of contamination.

Hepatitis D does not independently lead to a disease. This virus infects only those that are already infected with Hepatitis B or infection with these viruses appears at the same time. Transmission methods of Hepatitis D are the same as for B – both by blood and unprotected (without condoms) sex.

If one wants to avoid being infected with Hepatitis B, C and D, s/he should:

    • Never use somebody else’s used tooth brush and shave!
    • Always use condoms during sex!
    • Needles for tattooing should by all means be sterile.
    • Never use somebody else’s syringe or needle for medical purposes!
    • A drug user should never use somebody else’s injection instruments (needle, syringe, filter, and jar) for a shot!

As mentioned above, Hepatitis B, C and D frequently are characterized with chronic development and throughout years a person may develop such diseases as liver cerosis (transformation of liver cells) and liver cancer.

Who Can Get Infected with Hepatitis?

Considering the transmission means of the disease, the high risk factor groups are the following:

    • Injection drug users;
    • People, who have multiple partners in sex;
    • Blood recipients (patients, getting blood or blood component transfusions);
    • Infants, whose mothers are already infected;
    • Medical personnel.

How Shall We Know About Hepatitis Status?

Blood tests on Hepatitis need to be taken to know a person is infected or not. This disease is associated with incubation period, which means that before the signs of illness appear a person has not complaints, however may transmit the disease to somebody else. This period lasts from 2 to 6 months, though it varies for different types of Hepatitis. We shall also take into consideration, that in majority of cases disease symptoms (especially in the case of Hepatitis C) are not apparent. Thus, people with higher risk of contamination are advised to periodically take blood tests and if the result is positive timely get the necessary medical treatment. Tests would have most accurate results if taken after 2-3 months from the risk associated action, as at the initial phase of the so called incubation period the test results may not be true.

How to Act if infected?

If a person’s blood test confirms that s/he has Hepatitis, s/he needs to visit a doctor. Despite the fact that the disease may lead to complete recovery, in majority of cases – especially those progressing with chronic forms, hepatitis is more prone to treatment. We may conclude, that at present full treatment of hepatitis is problematic, though it is quite possible to maintain satisfactory condition if a person refuses to take such toxic substances as alcohol and narcotic drugs. It is also advisable to limit the intake of hot and fat (especially of animal fat origin) food, get frequent meals (4-6 times a day) and in small quantities. Please remember that in the case of Hepatitis B your partner in sex is also under the threat of getting infected. Use of condom may protect from the spread of illness. It is also advisable to consult a doctor for special advice and recommendations.

Do not consume alcohol and narcotic drugs, as in even small quantities they are of fatal effect for liver cells.