Viral hepatitis. Types of hepatitis, their classification, forms and symptoms Varieties of hepatitis and their differences

Inflammation of the liver can proceed in different ways and be caused by many factors. Therefore, there are types of hepatitis. There are about 10 main ones. There are the same number of subtypes of the disease. Each variation has its own treatment. The symptoms of illnesses also vary. Some hepatitis are completely devoid of clinical signs, destroying the liver, so to speak, secretly. Some inflammations are easily curable, while others are not amenable to therapy. This is a variety that is worth understanding.

One of the causes of the disease are pathogenic microorganisms. Doctors distinguish 7 main types of viral hepatitis:

Type A. It is often called Botkin's disease. The virus enters the blood from the digestive tract. Therefore, the pathogen is contained in food, water. The disease proceeds "brightly", with painful symptoms. The chronic form is rare. As a rule, the disease is transferred in childhood. In this case, immunity to the pathogen is developed.
Type B. Here, infection occurs only through the blood or physiological fluid. The disease causes painful symptoms, can become chronic, but rarely.
Type C. The causative agent was identified at the end of the last century. Hepatitis C is considered the most dangerous type of infectious inflammation of the liver, as it is difficult to diagnose and treat. Therefore, the disease often becomes chronic. The virus is transmitted through the blood.
Type D. The causative agent of the disease is not able to reproduce on its own. This requires the hepatitis B virus. Accordingly, pathogens develop together, which is called co-infection. It is characterized by severe symptoms and devastating consequences for the body.
Type E. According to its characteristics, the disease is similar to hepatitis A. Infection is possible both through the blood and through contact with the patient. Hepatitis E is characterized by rapid development. Without proper and timely medical intervention, death is possible within 10 days.
Types F and G. Still under study. No pathogens have been identified so far. The mode of penetration of infections is also unknown. Doctors make only assumptions based on the atypical course of diseases.

In addition to these viruses, doctors fix other pathogens of hepatitis. In this case, we are talking about secondary infection. The microorganism enters the liver with blood from other organs.

Hepatitis can be caused by:

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS);
herpes;
yellow fever.

Infectious types of hepatitis and ways of infection can be different. One thing unites them - the affected organ. The liver suffers.

If you ignore the treatment, inflammatory processes can "spread" to the organs closest to the liver.

There are also bacterial infections. Infection occurs both primarily (the pathogen enters directly into the liver) and secondarily. In the first case, inflammatory processes begin with syphilis, listeriosis. Secondary infection occurs with pneumococcal pneumonia, streptococcal disease.

Not only microorganisms can cause inflammation in the liver.

Doctors distinguish the following types of non-infectious hepatitis:

toxic form. The liver is a filter that passes through itself harmful substances that enter the body. Sometimes the body can not cope with the load. This is what happens with the toxic origin of hepatitis of the liver. Iron is most severely destroyed by arsenic, various pesticides, and phosphorus compounds. Inflammation becomes the answer to their excess.
drug-induced hepatitis. The cause of the disease is excessive ingestion of medications into the body. As a rule, liver damage occurs due to long-term treatment with the use of "heavy" drugs. Individual sensitivity to certain drugs may play a role. In this case, damage occurs even with a slight intake of funds from a certain group. Most often, individual reactions are caused by anti-tuberculosis, psychotic and hypoglycemic drugs, as well as antibiotics of the tetracycline group.
Alcoholic hepatitis. Medical statistics puts the disease in second place in prevalence after the viral type. Alcoholic hepatitis occurs, as a rule, due to the use of low-quality alcoholic beverages. There is an accumulation of harmful substances in the liver. In the case of drinking high-quality alcohol, a “cruel joke” can be played by long-term abuse of it. Alcoholic hepatitis often ends in cirrhosis or liver cancer.
nonalcoholic hepatitis. Symptoms are similar to inflammation caused by excessive drinking. The difference lies in the cause of the disease. Non-alcoholic hepatitis develops against the background of other diseases. The risk group includes patients with diabetes and obesity.
metabolic hepatitis. Here we are talking about a disease of a hereditary nature. In the body of patients, metabolic processes are disturbed, which leads to liver damage. Doctors refer to such hereditary ailments as hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease. In the first case, the patient actively absorbs iron in the gastrointestinal tract. In Wilson's disease, an elevated level of copper in the liver is detected.
An autoimmune disease. Defeat Is of an unspecified nature. For some reason, the immune system fails and begins to perceive cookie cells as "strangers." Protective functions are activated. As a result, the body destroys its own liver.

Despite the different origin of hepatitis, their symptoms are similar. The main symptom is aching or sharp pain in the right hypochondrium. There are also:

problems with the digestive system;
weakness;
fast fatiguability;
yellowness of the skin.

Treatment of non-infectious hepatitis, if it is caused by non-hereditary diseases, is associated with the exclusion of causes of liver damage.

First of all, a complete rejection of alcohol is required. In the toxic form of the disease, contact with harmful substances must be excluded. Also, drugs are prescribed to improve the functioning of the liver and increase its protective functions. A diet is mandatory.

The concepts of genotype and quasitype relate to viral inflammation of the liver. There are 6 types of pathogens. One of them, namely hepatitis C, has subspecies. They are called genotypes. Quasitypes are subspecies of subspecies.

Doctors systematized varieties of the hepatitis C virus according to abnormalities in the structure of RNA (ribonucleic acid).

The World Health Organization identifies the following types of hepatitis C:

Genotype 1. It is considered the most common. According to medical statistics, the diagnosis is made in 47% of cases. The virus has 3 quasi-types - a, b, c. The disease occurs throughout the world. But each subtype has a typical "range". Thus, genotype 1b is more often diagnosed in the states of the former Soviet Union. At the same time, type 1b hepatitis is considered the most dangerous. In half of the cases, the disease becomes chronic.
Genotype 2. It has 4 subtypes - a, b, c and d. The disease occurs everywhere, but is most common in the countries of the Far East and Western Europe. All types of hepatitis C type 2 are easily treatable. Inflammatory processes in the liver are slow. Therapy in 90% of cases gives a positive result.
Genotype 3. Here there are 2 quasitypes - a and c. The disease is less common than the first 2 varieties and has no special localization. Both subtypes are well studied and easily treatable. Full recovery with timely therapy occurs after 24 weeks.
Genotypes 4, 5 and 6. Rare. Variety No. 4 is subdivided immediately into 9 quasi-types - a, b, c, d, e, f, h, i, j. There is an ailment in the countries of Africa and the Middle East. The fifth and sixth genotypes have only one subspecies - a. Both genotypes are found in South Africa and Southeast Asia. Due to their non-spread of the disease, the categories are poorly understood.

Scientists are sure that hepatitis C types are more numerous. According to unofficial statistics, there are no longer 6, but 11 genotypes. The virus continues to mutate, which does not exclude the discovery of new varieties of C-type infection.

If hepatitis is caused by an infection, a virus, or a bacterium, the pathogen must enter the body.

Transfer methods can be different:

Through dirty hands or food. In a similar way, they become infected with hepatitis A and E.
Through the blood. In this case, the ways of transmission are the use of one syringe, non-compliance with the rules for conducting medical procedures, surgery, blood transfusion. This is how pathogens of hepatitis E, B, C and D enter the body.
Together with bodily fluid. The causative agent penetrates from an infected organism into a healthy one during unprotected intercourse. In this way, hepatitis C and B are spread. Saliva is also referred to as physiological fluids. But through it, the transmission of the virus is difficult. When kissing, for example, it is unlikely to become infected. It is necessary that a healthy person has a bleeding wound in his mouth.
The virus can pass to the child during childbirth from an infected mother. In this way, diseases of types C and B are transmitted.

The most dangerous types of viral hepatitis are transmitted through blood and bodily fluids.

All diseases go through several stages of development. All types of hepatitis are no exception. Initially, infection occurs, then the incubation period, the disease itself and the cure. The last stage does not always come. Therefore, there are 2 forms of hepatitis:

Acute. The phase in which inflammation develops and full recovery is possible.
Chronic. With this form, the disease is not cured completely. Periods of remission and exacerbation alternate.

The acute form develops rapidly. The disease appears several days or weeks after infection, depending on the type of hepatitis.

The acute form can develop both after infection with the virus, and due to damage to the liver by poisons or a large dose of alcohol. The patient's condition deteriorates sharply. Depending on the causes, acute hepatitis lasts from 2-3 months to six months.

The chronic form is also possible both due to damage by viruses, and due to poisoning of the body. The diagnosis is made if acute hepatitis has not been cured within six months.

Symptoms of the acute form of the disease, many take for the flu, do not go to the doctors. The chronic form is often asymptomatic. Therefore, the diagnosis is often found out during a routine examination or during examination for other diseases.

Inflammatory processes in the chronic form are localized only in the liver. The organ is devoid of nerve endings. Therefore, the disease can not manifest itself for a long time.

According to the severity, doctors distinguish 2 types of chronic hepatitis:

persistent, which develops slowly or does not progress at all;
active, in which inflammation covers the entire liver, causing serious damage to it.

Since the disease of the chronic course is practically asymptomatic, it is necessary to carefully listen to the "signals" of the body. Most often, patients are tormented by periodic heaviness and bursting in the region of the right hypochondrium. Discomfort worsens after eating. Additionally, the disease is manifested by rapid fatigue, decreased appetite, frequent bouts of nausea and a tendency to bloating. If at least one of these symptoms is detected, you should consult a doctor for an examination.

There are common manifestations. They are found in both adults and children.

Depending on the type of hepatitis observed:

With hepatitis caused by type A virus, high fever, fever, pain in the peritoneum, nausea turning into severe vomiting are manifested. Loss of appetite, discoloration of feces and urine are also typical. The skin and sclera of the eyes with hepatitis A become yellow.
The disease caused by the type B virus has similar symptoms to hepatitis A. A bitter taste in the mouth and bloating are added. Sometimes there are nosebleeds. Body temperature does not rise in all patients.
With a disease caused by a type C virus, the symptoms are blurred. It is worth paying attention to joint pain and fatigue.

Symptoms in children are more pronounced. This is especially true of the reaction from the gastrointestinal tract.

What is hepatitis in children? There are no special differences from adults. The exception is inflammation caused by excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. In addition, cases of liver damage due to ingestion of toxic substances are rare.

In 75% of cases, doctors diagnose hepatitis A in children. The disease is not transmitted through blood. You can get infected through objects and food.

In the case of A-type inflammation, it is not uncommon for an atypical or mild form of the disease.

In children, there are practically no symptoms. In this case, adolescents become carriers of the pathogen. It is the atypical form of hepatitis A that often causes outbreaks in kindergartens.

Main Symptoms
Classification of hepatitis: forms of hepatitis
Characteristics of hepatitis

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Hepatitis is a general term for acute, inflammatory, and chronic liver diseases. Types of hepatitis differ in symptoms, methods of infection, rates of development, drug therapy. These pathologies are characterized by specific signs, which, depending on the type of disease, may be more pronounced than others.

Main symptoms

Signs of the disease:

Jaundice is the most common symptom of hepatitis. It got its name for giving nails, skin and mucous membranes of organs a yellowish tint. For example, a patient may have yellow eye sclera. This happens due to an increase in bilirubin in the blood, which causes a violation of liver function. Bilirubin is excreted mainly in the urine.
Pain in the right hypochondrium. It may be dull and prolonged or paroxysmal. The increase in size causes inflammation of the liver, stretching the membrane and thereby causing pain.
Deterioration of general well-being, impotence, temperature, discoloration of feces and urine.

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Classification of hepatitis: forms of hepatitis

There are two types of hepatitis: acute and chronic. In most cases, the acute form appears with viral or toxic liver damage. In the acute form, the patient's well-being deteriorates sharply, and the symptoms worsen. With the exception of those circumstances when the acute form flows into the chronic phase, then the outcome is always favorable. The acute form is easier to diagnose and treat.

The chronic form is an inflammation of the liver that has arisen due to poisoning during alcoholism, or the progression of acute hepatitis. In this form, healthy liver cells are gradually replaced by fibrous tissue. In this phase, minor symptoms appear that are invisible to the patient and others. It is usually diagnosed at the stage of cirrhosis of the liver, which is practically untreatable and entails serious consequences.

Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F, G are considered viral. Parenteral link independent inflammation of the liver with hepatitis B, C, D, G. These are pathologies associated with acute infectious diseases, which are accompanied by damage not only to the liver, but also to other organs. Parenteral viral hepatitis is prone to chronicity, the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

This pathology is similar to HIV infection in terms of the infection system, but the threat of infection is much higher. It is transmitted through blood, sexually, personal hygiene items. For example, through syringes, in the salon during tattooing or piercing, manicure kit, razors, etc. Most often, healthcare workers and people who often come into contact with blood and body fluids are at risk of infection.

Parenteral hepatitis is very dangerous, as in 80% of cases it becomes chronic. In order not to get parenteral viral hepatitis, it is necessary to carry out prophylaxis:

ensure that medical facilities use disposable sterile instruments;
disinfect personal hygiene items;
avoid casual sexual contact;
do not use drugs.

To protect children, get all the necessary vaccinations and mandatory booster vaccinations.

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Characteristics of hepatitis

Hepatitis A. The most common form of all. The latency period can last from 7 to 50 days. It is transmitted through food, dishes, etc. It is manifested by an increase in body temperature, sometimes the symptoms are similar to the flu. Most often, the cure occurs spontaneously and does not require dynamic treatment.

In severe cases, droppers are prescribed to relieve intoxication. This type of hepatitis usually takes place in an acute form, the duration of the disease is 30 days. Special antiviral therapy is not required, the treatment is symptomatic, bed rest and the necessary diet are observed. The diet consists in the exclusion from the diet of fried, spicy, smoked, the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

Hepatitis B. Passes in an acute or chronic form. There is no complete cure, but with the observance of prescriptions, diet, and the use of drugs that accelerate movement in the liver tissues, a favorable course of the disease is observed. The disease, which is asymptomatic, most often becomes chronic. The chronic form leads to the formation of cirrhosis or liver cancer. Infection occurs through the blood, sexually. Treatment is long-term (with the use of interferons), takes place under the supervision of a physician. If necessary, a second course is prescribed.

Hepatitis C. It is transmitted in the same way as hepatitis B, without appropriate treatment it becomes chronic and ends with cirrhosis of the liver. Inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis C may be asymptomatic for up to 20 years. Currently, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C. Among the types of hepatitis, the most dangerous type is fatal. Treatment depends on the duration of the disease, the genotype of the virus, the age and sex of the patient. For the accuracy of the diagnosis, fibroscanning and liver biopsy, ultrasound, general and biochemical blood tests are performed.

Hepatitis D. Infection with this type is spontaneously impossible, since this type can occur against the background of hepatitis B. Inflammation of the liver occurs in an acute or chronic form. Timely treatment and adherence to the recommendations of the doctor most often lead to a favorable outcome. In hepatitis D, inpatient therapeutic treatment is carried out in combination with antiviral drugs.

Hepatitis E. In terms of manifestations and system of infection, it is similar to hepatitis A. Most often it proceeds safely and does not require specific treatment. It has the greatest danger for pregnant women, as it proceeds in a severe form of fulminant hepatitis, causes encephalopathy and intravascular coagulation, and leads to death. Patients with chronic liver pathology are also at risk.

Hepatitis F. This type, unlike other types, has not yet been fully studied. Causes and causative agents are not currently determined, but there are suggestions that species F is caused by two viruses, not one. The symptoms are similar to those of other types of hepatitis. The exact treatment has not been established, since the source is unknown, therefore, only symptomatic treatment is carried out.

Hepatitis G. Insufficiently studied, like its predecessors, types of ABC. The source and causes of occurrence are not exactly known. According to some reports, this species is caused by three viruses. Treatment is aimed at preventing inflammation of the liver and infection of healthy tissues with the help of interferons.

The use of interferons does not guarantee complete healing, but may prevent the development of cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Interferon is most effective in combination with ribavirin.

Hepatitis of the liver appears not only due to tissue damage by viruses, but also for other reasons. They are classified as non-viral. These include hepatitis in combination with cytomegalovirus, rubella, AIDS, etc.

Inflammation caused by syphilis, leptospirosis, sepsis is called bacterial hepatitis. Toxic appears when poisoned by alcohol, poisons and chemistry. Radiation occurs when irradiation and a high dose of radiation. Autoimmune manifests itself in autoimmune diseases.

The determination of the conclusion is carried out according to the results of blood tests for antibodies to hepatitis viruses, indicators of liver function, PCR. Based on the data obtained, an appropriate treatment is selected.

Viral hepatitis is the most common liver disease. Every year, 1-2 million people die from acute viral hepatitis alone in the world. The causes may be hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, G, TTV and other viral infections (herpes, adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, etc.)

The most noticeable symptom of liver disease is jaundice of the skin and mucous membranes. Often worried about unmotivated weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, pain or a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium or epigastrium, joint pain, dark urine and brightening of the stool; flu-like symptoms, fever may occur. There are no specific symptoms of chronic hepatitis. With liver damage, skin rashes, pruritus, allergic reactions and, especially, solar allergies are often noted. The progression of the disease leads to the development of complications in the form of varicose veins of the esophagus and stomach, in which bleeding from them is possible, as well as edema in the legs, encephalopathy.

Unfortunately, hepatitis is often asymptomatic for a long time, which makes it difficult to detect and treat it early. Viral hepatitis is considered chronic if the disease lasts more than 6 months and the immune system cannot cope with it.

Where does disease come from

The source of infection is a sick person. With viral hepatitis A, infection occurs through unwashed vegetables and fruits, dirty hands, contaminated dishes, water; much less often when transfusing the blood of an infected donor and sexually in homosexuals. The spread of viral hepatitis B, C, G occurs during transfusions of blood and its components, with some medical interventions and insufficient processing of instruments, hemodialysis; violation of the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes (tattoos, piercings, manicures and pedicures, the use of common blades, scissors and toothbrushes), sexual contact, intravenous drug use.

In recent years, the percentage of detection of viral hepatitis G and the TT virus (TTV hepatitis) has increased, primarily due to the improvement of diagnostic methods. Often a combination of several viruses (B + C, C + G, etc.) is detected, which leads to a more rapid progression of the disease. With viral hepatitis B and G, there is a so-called vertical route of infection - from the mother through the placenta to the fetus.

The emergence of specific antiviral drugs allows not only to slow down the disease, but also to completely get rid of the virus in a significant proportion of patients, preventing severe late complications. Lack of treatment for many years leads to the development of cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocarcinoma. Currently, hepatitis A and B diseases can be prevented by vaccination (vaccination), which is the most effective and safe method of protection.

Non-viral sources of hepatitis

When drinking alcoholic beverages, alcoholic liver disease develops. With alcoholic hepatitis, toxic substances accumulate, the respiration of liver cells (hepatocytes) is disturbed, fatty inclusions appear, cell necrosis occurs, which leads to liver cirrhosis. Infection with hepatitis viruses in alcohol abusers also leads to faster gross changes. The first and indispensable condition for treatment is the complete cessation of alcohol consumption, otherwise the progression of the disease is almost inevitable.

In violation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in people with obesity, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, with an unbalanced diet of carbohydrates and fats, rapid weight loss, with prolonged use of certain drugs, fat droplets and fatty inclusions accumulate in the liver cells, steatohepatitis develops.

A high risk of the disease is female, obesity, pregnancy, rapid weight loss, malnutrition. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent surgery.

With this in mind, liver function testing is the starting point for diagnosing and detecting liver disease.

Hepatitis is a group of acute and chronic diffuse, i.e. affecting the entire organ, inflammatory diseases of the liver, having various causes and conditions of occurrence.

Regardless of the etiology of inflammation, all types of hepatitis are characterized by jaundice of the skin and therefore are popularly called "jaundice".

Today, hepatitis is highly prevalent, and the number of cases of difficult-to-treat disease is increasing every year. The prognosis of the disease depends on the form of hepatitis and the stage of its course.

General symptoms of hepatitis

Jaundice appears with hepatitis as a result of the ingestion of bilirubin, an enzyme that has not been processed in the liver, into the blood. But it is not uncommon for the absence of this symptom in hepatitis.

Usually hepatitis in the initial period of the disease shows symptoms of influenza. At the same time, fever, body aches, headache and general malaise are noted.

As a result of the inflammatory process, the patient's liver increases and its membrane stretches; at the same time, a pathological process may occur in the gallbladder and pancreas. All this is accompanied by pain in the right hypochondrium. Pain often have a long course, aching or dull character. But they can be sharp, intense, paroxysmal and give to the right shoulder blade or shoulder.

Types of hepatitis and methods of infection

Depending on the cause of occurrence, viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), toxic (alcoholic, drug and chemical poisoning), radiation and autoimmune are determined.

The most common viral forms in medical practice are caused by parenteral hepatitis viruses. Infection occurs when parenteral hepatitis viruses penetrate through broken or damaged mucous or skin integuments of a person during contact with infected blood or other biological fluids of a sick person.

Parenteral hepatitis viruses are extremely stable, and can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 months, at sub-zero temperatures up to 15-25 years.

The causes of toxic hepatitis depend on the intake of certain medications and alcohol dependence.

The most common causes of toxic hepatitis are drugs such as methyldopa, halothane, ketoconazole, ibuprofen, indomethacin, hormonal contraceptives, tetracycline antibiotics, and some anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Almost any drug can cause liver damage, depending on the individual characteristics of the person. Causes of severe toxic hepatitis can be paracetamol, industrial poisons, toadstool poison, and other drugs.

Alcohol dependence leads to severe liver damage and often hepatitis goes to the liver.

Autoimmune hepatitis develops in violation of the immune system, and is more common in women.

Often, autoimmune hepatitis involves the thyroid, pancreas and salivary glands in the process.

Radiation hepatitis is a component of radiation sickness.

Types of hepatitis and methods of infection are very similar in terms of symptoms and the possibility of introduction into the human body.

Viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is the most widespread.

The causes of viral hepatitis are different, but there is a tendency to increase the incidence due to the growth of promiscuity, the liberalization of same-sex relationships and a decrease in the quality of medical care.

The least dangerous and most common viral hepatitis belongs to group A.

The incubation period of its development ranges from 7 days to 2 months. Infection with hepatitis A occurs when using dirty or low-quality products in the diet, contact with the patient's belongings and non-compliance with hygiene rules. Often, patients recover spontaneously, but to relieve the intensity of liver damage, drug treatment with droppers is necessary.

Hepatitis B or serum hepatitis is a dangerous form of the disease, accompanied by an enlarged spleen and liver, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and severe liver damage.

Infection with serum hepatitis usually occurs through the blood, either through injections in violation of sanitation or during sexual intercourse. You can get infected from patients with chronic or acute forms of hepatitis, as well as from virus carriers.

With serum hepatitis, the incubation period ranges from 50 to 180 days. Even after recovery, the virus remains in the human body for several months.

There is a fairly effective vaccine against hepatitis B that can reduce the incidence.

Hepatitis C is the most severe form of the disease, leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer, which usually ends in death of the patient. The incubation period can last from 60 to 160 days.

Infection occurs through transfusion of blood, plasma, serum, medical instrumental interventions, sexual contact, the child is transmitted from an infected mother.

The incidence of hepatitis C is constantly increasing all over the world, and therefore, in order to prevent infection, it is necessary to constantly carry out visual campaigning among the population and establish strict control over compliance with sanitary rules during blood transfusion, as well as over the quality of donor blood.

Hepatitis C is also dangerous because it is usually accompanied by other types of viral hepatitis. There is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C.

Hepatitis D develops only in the presence of the hepatitis B virus in the liver and is characterized by massive liver damage and an acute course. They become infected with hepatitis D when the virus directly enters the bloodstream from a virus carrier or a sick person. The incubation period for this type of hepatitis is 20 to 50 days. According to the clinical picture, it is similar to hepatitis B, but its course is more severe. The disease often becomes chronic, often degenerating into cirrhosis of the liver.

Vaccination is the same as for hepatitis B.

Hepatitis E in terms of symptoms differs little from hepatitis A, but the severe course of the disease often leads to damage to the kidneys. Hepatitis E is treated effectively and the prognosis is always favorable. The exception is pregnant women who are in the third trimester of pregnancy, while there is an almost 100% risk of losing a child.

Acute and chronic forms of hepatitis

For all types of viral hepatitis, an acute course of the disease is typical. At the same time, there is a significant deterioration in well-being, the development of jaundice, significant intoxication, a decrease in liver function, and the amount of bilirubin and transaminases in the blood increases.

Timely detection and effective treatment of acute hepatitis usually results in the patient's recovery. With a duration of illness of more than six months, a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis is established.

Chronic hepatitis entails serious disorders in the body - there is an increase in the spleen and liver, metabolic disorders, asthenovegetative disorders occur. This form of hepatitis is often complicated by cirrhosis of the liver and oncological formations.

With reduced immunity, inadequate treatment or alcohol dependence, the chronic form of hepatitis poses a serious threat to human life.

Clinical development of the infection

The severity of hepatitis symptoms depends on the type of infection. Hepatitis A proceeds quickly, its signs have a bright manifestation and rapid progression within a few hours.

Symptoms of hepatitis B and C in the initial period are sluggish and only after a few days are expressed by dark urine, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. Usually, after yellowing of the skin, the patient's condition begins to improve. But with hepatitis C, no improvement is noted, because. necrosis of the liver tissue becomes chronic.

Sometimes hepatitis can develop at lightning speed and in this case it becomes severe. The patient has a bright manifestation of symptoms and tissue death. The fulminant form of hepatitis often has a fatal outcome.

Chronic hepatitis has flaccid and intermittent signs of the disease, and many patients do not pay attention to them.

This is a false approach to disease. If you feel such symptoms as malaise, nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, muscles, joints and darkening of the urine, you must urgently seek medical help. In addition, chronic hepatitis can be accompanied by weight loss, skin itching and bleeding. All this indicates problems with the liver and requires immediate treatment.

Consequences of hepatitis

Complications of acute and chronic hepatitis can be inflammation of the biliary tract, hepatic coma, usually ending in death, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Hepatitis B often leads to cirrhosis. Its consequences can be liver, ascites, and bleeding caused by dilation of blood vessels.

Chronic hepatitis C bears the most severe complications. at the moment there are no effective methods of its treatment, but all the same, medicine can prolong a person's life.

General principles for the treatment of viral hepatitis

Treatment of viral hepatitis is based on basic therapy using drugs that enhance metabolic processes, antiviral therapy with recombinant interferon alfa.

In the treatment of hepatitis, vitamin therapy and heavy drinking are used. In acute intoxication, parenteral infusion therapy is carried out.

Patients with a fulminant form of hepatitis undergo intensive therapy, which reduces the risk of developing renal failure.

Individual methods of treatment of each patient depend on the type of hepatitis and the method of infection.

Treatment of folk remedies for chronic hepatitis

The biological characteristics of plants have long been used in folk remedies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis.

In the treatment, plants with antiviral properties are used - eucalyptus, celandine, highlander bird, calendula and other plants with these qualities.

Useful plants containing polysaccharides. These include Kalanchoe, white cabbage, aloe, coltsfoot, arnica, plantain, horsetail, Icelandic moss, and other plants.

In the treatment of chronic hepatitis with folk remedies in the form of tinctures and decoctions, hops, safflower-like leuzea, spotted orchid, etc. are used.

No less popular are dill fruit tinctures, pumpkin pulp and juice, corn stigma tincture, decoctions of chicory and dandelion.

Elecampane tincture is used as a choleretic agent.

Liver disease - suppuration of the liver of viral origin, the medical manifestations of which in the bulk of situations occurring with patients are significantly removed or insufficiently manifested.

Hepatitis C is one of the most well-known liver diseases. Viruses that initiate hepatitis are ready to breed only in liver cells. The dynamism of microbes is marked by the immune concept, as a result of which the organ, which is so important for life, is affected.

In medicine, there are 7 types of microbes that cause disease: A, B, C, D, E, F or G. They enter the body and stimulate various symptoms. For this reason, in order to choose a more effective therapy, one should find out whether this or that “microbe” directly affected the patient’s liver.

What are hepatitis: types of disease and how to cure them?

Hepatitis C, or post-transfusion disease, is not an easy model of viral hepatitis. is only increasing in modern times. Infection, as a rule, is made from Hepatitis B, from the point of view of medicine, not the most common type.

Once infected, you can become a carrier of the hepatitis C virus. Microbes breed in the body of the carrier, but they do not cause significant damage to him personally.

So, consider the most common types of hepatitis:

Infectious:

group "A" - in medicine it is called Botkin's disease or "dirty hands" disease. In simple terms, this is a food infection that provokes damage to the digestive tract from: tap water, unwashed food, using someone else's dishes. It is impossible not to notice the first symptoms of this type, since they are pronounced already at an early stage. As a rule, this type is ill 1 time in a lifetime, after which immunity is developed. Therefore, re-infection is almost impossible.
“groups B, C, D” - this microbe virus is transmitted through the blood, affecting a vital organ. Group "D" does not live in the human body, it can either be brought into the human body, or provoked by the already existing group "B". All three groups have the same symptoms, so only a comprehensive examination will help to distinguish between the type of the disease.
"group E" - this group is very similar to "A", as it is also a "dirty hands" disease, but it is also a blood-borne disease - the parenteral route. This type of hepatitis poses a great danger to pregnant women, since the destruction of a vital organ in a short period of time, and also provokes premature birth and fetal pathology.
group “F and G” - this group is currently distinguished, but has not been fully investigated. Therefore, even scientists cannot tell about it in detail yet.

In order to make it more or less clear, we will give a table for better assimilation of the information received:

Classification of hepatitis - groups of infectious hepatitis:

Name	"A and E"	" AT"	"FROM"	"D"
symptoms	- loss of appetite, - vomiting, nauseous feeling, - change in the color of urine (acquisition of a darker shade), - migraine, - possible slight increase in temperature, - the acquisition of a light shade of feces.	- jaundice, - yellowing of the whites of the eyes, - acquisition of yellow skin, - dark urine - the appearance of spots on the skin, - itching of the skin. But you can read more details here.	- Enlargement of the liver and spleen - pain in the right hypochondrium, - joint disease - discoloration of the skin (acquisition of a red tint), - jaundice, - general malaise. But you can read more details here.	All that is inherent in the group "B". But you can read more details here.
transmission method	- dirty hands, - unwashed fruits and vegetables.	- blood, - the use of non-disposable syringes, - unprotected intercourse - applying a tattoo, - carrying out dental procedures, – nail extension, - kiss, - infection during childbirth (more details here)
diagnostics	- biochemical blood test (from a vein) for ALT and AST, - CT scan,
treatment	Active treatment is not required, the human immune system itself is able to cope with this type of disease. It is necessary to observe a proper diet and observe bed rest. Group E virus can be cured by diet alone. But you can read more details here.	, but before you carry it out, you need to find out if there are any contraindications for such a manipulation. General treatment - therapy to remove toxins from the body, diet, giving up bad habits (smoking, drugs, alcohol). But you can read more details here.	There are 2 main types of therapy: the use of Interferon-alpha, which prevents infection of new cells, or treatment regimens with Sofosbuvir. rigorous, more here.	Similar to the treatment of group "B". But you can read more details here.
curable/incurable	completely cured		curable in 98% of cases, more	if it has not become chronic, then it is curable in 75% of cases.

Toxic

This type of therapeutic disease develops against the background of ingestion of toxic substances or poison. For example, poisoning with a drug such as: anti-tuberculosis, anti-inflammatory (the same "Paracetamol"), psychotic - an antidepressant, oral contraceptive, and so on. Therefore, taking one drug, you need to pay attention to its side effects, which just can lead to liver disease. Not transmitted in any way. If the first symptoms appear: severe nausea and vomiting, all necessary measures should be urgently taken before the ambulance arrives. For example, drink grapefruit juice or a decoction of mint. This will help stop vomiting and alleviate the general condition of the patient. It is possible to fully recover from such a “poisoning” if the dose of the toxic substance has not exceeded the permissible limits.

Ray

A very rare group, usually occurs due to radiation therapy. Radiation of an ionizing substance affects tissues, disrupting the body's metabolism. After that, a large amount of toxins is formed in the human blood and provokes the appearance of this group of the disease. The development period is 3-4 months from the day of receiving the irradiation dose. The most common symptom of this type of disease is itchy skin. Do not forget that radiation hepatitis can also lead to cirrhosis of the liver. But, based on medical practice, the percentage of cure for such an ailment is high.

autoimmune

The chronic stage of the disease is a consequence of an immunological failure of the body's system - hepatocytes eat their own cells. This type of disease is not of viral origin, it most often affects women, whose percentage is 5%. In 37% of patients, in addition to this disease, a number of other immune pathologies are noted: ulcerative colitis or synovitis, and so on. This group of hepatitis proceeds easily, almost asymptomatically. A diagnosis can be made only when the autoimmune disease becomes chronic or cirrhosis of the liver. Therefore, this type of disease is very dangerous for its consequences - complications.

Viral

A dangerous infectious type of disease, which is the result of such diseases as rubella, mumps, herpes, AIDS, fever and other viral diseases. Liver damage occurs under the influence of the spread of infectious cells throughout the body. Which in turn leads to a prolonged course of the disease:

hepatitis A - 3 months,
hepatitis B and C - up to six months,
hepatitis B, C and D (chronic form) - more than six months.

Such a group of diseases of a vital organ is very dangerous for the future health of the patient, since it is practically completely incurable, except for hepatitis A. The disease can go into remission, but not disappear at all. Therefore, it is very important not to bring the state of your liver to this type of hepatitis.

Reactive

It is a consequence of diseases of the stomach. It is not transmitted in any way, it is individual. In 90% of cases, it is treatable and does not lead to complications. If a person falls ill with such a group of hepatitis, then most likely he will find out about it only if he donates blood for ALT and AST or does an ultrasound scan, since this type of disease is asymptomatic. But doctors note that with reactive hepatitis, weight loss is observed, but this symptom cannot be attributed solely to such a disease as liver disease.

fulminant

A terrible group of diseases denoting a malignant tumor. The cause of such a disease is necrosis. This type of disease most often leads to death. A special group of lesions includes children and young people. Fulminant hepatitis makes itself felt within 10 days. A large number of stages of the disease leads to encephalopathy, where it is necessary to treat the patient only with special medications or a surgical method.

Parenteral

This group of hepatitis includes 3 subgroups: B, C and D. Most often, the moment of infection with such an ailment is contact with biological fluids. For example, mother's milk, saliva, blood, urine, PA. It is difficult to treat this type, since it includes a huge range of therapeutic manipulations, which require patience and strong will. It is impossible to recover from such a disease, but it is possible to place parenteral hepatitis in remission.

Forms of hepatitis

In medicine, several forms of hepatitis are distinguished, which are the result of liver diseases of stages 1 and 2:

Acute

This clinical course of the disease develops rapidly, in just a few days. The duration of this form can be equal to 6 months. The incubation period is noted from 2 weeks to 2 months. The acute form of hepatitis can appear as a result of toxic poisoning with drugs or standard infection with the hepatitis virus of any group.

Chronic

This form of the disease is accompanied by the development of liver cirrhosis or fibrosis. The duration of chronic hepatitis is from 6 months to a year. The incubation period is 6 months. It depends on the individual ability of the human immune system to deal with such a disease. The cause of this form may be an autoimmune disease or acute hepatitis B, C.

In fact, the types of hepatitis are a very complex thing, which only a specialist can understand. Therefore, if you find any

Either a form of hepatitis or its type, or some sign of liver pathology, immediately demand that you be admitted to a hospital and perform all the necessary tests to establish an accurate diagnosis and begin timely liver treatment. Remember, health is in your hands!