Parenteral hepatitis is rightfully considered one of the most dangerous diseases that spread more and more every year. Statistical studies show that 2 billion people are currently infected with hepatitis B in the world, and every third out of a hundred people are infected with hepatitis C. The article will talk more about the disease, as well as the prevention of parenteral hepatitis and HIV infections.
About the disease
Parenteral liver infections are understood as inflammatory diseases that develop under the influence of various factors. The disease spreads through damage to the skin and mucous membrane. The virus enters the human body through the blood, less often through other biological fluids of an infected person.
Parenteral viral hepatitis is very dangerous, because a small amount of infected material is enough for infection. In addition to parenteral, there are enteric hepatitis, which contribute to the emergence of diseases such as hepatitis A and E. Parenteral pathogens contribute to the development of viruses B, D, C, F, G. Pathogenic microorganisms provoke the appearance of dangerous diseases that often lead to human death.
What is the parenteral route of infection?
This pathway is considered a leader in the spread of diseases such as AIDS, HIV infection and parenteral hepatitis. This means that infection occurs through the blood, as well as damage to the mucous membranes and skin. An example would be:
- infection through a syringe;
- sexual contact with infected people;
- blood transfusion;
- surgical intervention and other methods.
Pathogens
Hepatitis and parenteral infections develop after many viruses enter the human body, which are classified into groups. Specialists distinguish the following types of pathogenic microorganisms that contribute to the development of diseases:
- HBV. It causes hepatitis B, has a complex structure and belongs to the group of hepatadaviruses. This infection is resistant to physical and chemical effects. It can survive in an acidic environment, when boiled for 30 minutes and at temperatures up to minus twenty degrees.
- HCV. Belongs to the group of flaviviruses. The main route of infection is blood. The causative agent is prone to constant mutations, it can reproduce itself in different variations. It is because of this feature that difficulties arise in creating a vaccine against the virus. Often the disease proceeds in a latent form and passes into the chronic stage.
- HDV. It is a representative of delta viruses. Infection occurs parenterally. It uses HBV proteins for propagation, as it is not capable of producing them on its own.
- HFV. This virus is not yet fully understood. It is known that it is transmitted by hematogenous and fecal-oral methods. It is similar in structure to an adenovirus infection.
- Hgv. To detect this virus, a PCR test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay are performed. It is transmitted in a parenteral manner, often detected in patients with chronic bleeding and chronic hepatitis.
These are the main types of pathogens.
According to medical statistics, HFV and HGV infections are rare. The most common types of viral hepatitis include B, D, C. With the development of the latter, the likelihood of dangerous consequences increases, up to a fatal outcome.
Transmission ways
Parenteral hepatitis viruses got their name because they spread through blood contact. This includes infection through blood, saliva or semen. During contact, an exchange of fluids must occur in order for the infection to pass from the carrier to the infected.
Examples are: repeated use of a syringe by a carrier of the virus, sexual contact, use of a handkerchief or razor, transmission of the disease from mother to fetus during gestation or breastfeeding.
Among all types of pathogens, hepatitis B is especially common. Its difference from other viruses is the aggressive form of development and resistance to survival when located outside the carrier. The prevalence of this disease is equated with infections such as HIV and AIDS.
There are two types of hepatitis infection:
- enteric (oral-fecal): characteristic of hepatitis A, they can be infected through water, food, dirty hands;
- parenteral hepatitis: characteristic of forms B, C, D, F and G.
An important feature in infection with an enteric infection is the fact that the patient should be in an acute degree of the disease. During this period, his saliva contains an increased amount of the virus. Usually, with this form of the disease, patients are isolated for some time from healthy people.
Hepatitis B and C are transmitted only through chronic carriers of the virus. Methods of infection have been well studied and effective methods of preventing the disease have been identified, but there is no complete cure for such forms.
What the virus can carry
Parenteral hepatitis is characterized in that the content of the pathogen is overestimated in many human excretions, because of this the possibility of infection increases significantly. So, hepatitis spreads through such fluids:
- urine;
- saliva;
- blood;
- mother's milk;
- sperm;
- bile.
The most dangerous biological fluids are blood and semen, they are almost 100% likely to transmit the infection. Saliva contains the smallest number of hepatitis pathogens, which suggests that contact with infected saliva is not a particular risk product.
The spread of the disease is facilitated by an increased level of drug addiction, because you must use disposable syringes and needles to inject drugs, which is usually neglected by drug addicts. It is much less likely to get an infection by blood transfusion, such cases have been documented in medical practice. Another way of infection is through sexual contact, during which discharge from the genital organs enter the bloodstream through microcracks.
The risk of getting infected during sexual intercourse is much lower than through blood, but still it is considered the second most infected. Thanks to the promotion of contraceptives, hepatitis C infection through sexual contact has decreased significantly.
When applying tattoos or tattooing, you must make sure that all needles are disposable, as infection can occur through them.
To prevent parenteral viral hepatitis and HIV, everyone should observe hygiene standards: use individual razors, toothbrushes, towels, manicure sets and personal hygiene products.
Symptoms
Parenteral hepatitis B and C have similar symptoms. The onset of the disease can be well defined, and can be hidden. The incubation period lasts when infected with hepatitis B from two to six months, hepatitis C - from 1.5 to 2 months. After its completion, the first symptoms appear that affect the well-being of the infected person.
These include:
- nausea and vomiting;
- fever;
- loss of appetite;
- chills;
- fever;
- pain in the abdomen and right hypochondrium;
- heaviness in the right side of the body.
Many believe that the infection should go away as the signs of jaundice fade away. But this is not so. Often jaundice may not occur at all, and yellowing of the skin is not observed with all types of hepatitis.
Timely detected signs help to carry out the necessary treatment, in the advanced stage there are serious complications. Late treatment to a doctor causes a transition from an acute to a chronic stage, which happens in most cases. In almost all forms of parenteral hepatitis, you can live a full life if you carry out continuous maintenance therapy.
Complications
Hepatitis B is considered the most dangerous disease. Lack of treatment can lead to serious complications in human health, including death. The main complications include:
- cirrhosis;
- severe liver failure;
- hepatic coma;
- the conversion of functional organ tissue to adipose;
- tissue fibrosis;
- liver cancer.
Especially dangerous for the patient is the development of several forms of infection at once. This greatly complicates the work of the liver, causing instant organ damage.
The combination of several types of hepatitis cannot be cured, so the patient will have to undergo maintenance therapy throughout his life. In cases where the liver structure is completely replaced by adipose or connective tissue, an organ transplant is necessary.
Diagnostics
The appointment of treatment for viral hepatitis is possible only after diagnostic procedures, after which it will be seen what degree, type and severity of the infection. In addition, with the help of diagnostics, it is possible to identify affected areas of the liver. Without carrying out such procedures, the medical worker does not have the right to prescribe treatment. A preliminary diagnosis is made after identifying the symptoms that bother the patient. Laboratory studies, which include:
- identification of markers of infection;
- determination of the level of transaminase and bilirubin;
- analysis of the protein composition of the blood;
- study of antigens and antibodies.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations: MRI, ultrasound or CT. After the diagnosis is known, the patient is prescribed a comprehensive treatment.
Treatment
Patients with such a confirmed diagnosis as parenteral hepatitis are given complex treatment. During the moderate and severe stages, the infected person is treated in a medical facility. During this period, it is necessary to observe bed rest and give up alcohol, since it causes the death of liver cells. When prescribing treatment, the specialist takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient and his state of health. Basically, treatment is carried out as follows:
- antiviral drugs;
- strict diet restricting the intake of fat and protein;
- intake of vitamins;
- taking medications that restore liver cells;
- drugs that normalize metabolism;
- choleretic drugs;
- with intoxication, droppers are placed.
Prevention of parenteral hepatitis
With the help of preventive measures, you can prevent infection, thereby saving your life.
The most common method is vaccination. It needs: newborns, students of medical universities, laboratory staff, as well as people who are in close contact with infected people.
In addition to vaccination, there are several other ways to prevent parenteral viral hepatitis:
- refusal to take narcotic drugs;
- use of personal hygiene products;
- refusal of casual sexual contacts;
- the use of new or sterile instruments during cosmetic procedures;
- Seek medical help if a serious injury occurs.
Emergency prevention of parenteral hepatitis and HIV infections: who needs it
Its main purpose is to destroy and block infection at an early stage. To do this, you need to learn about contact with an infected person in time and take the necessary measures.
There are several groups of people who are at risk and need emergency prevention:
- employees of medical institutions, as well as students who practice there;
- newborns from infected mothers;
- people with non-traditional sexual orientation;
- drug addicts;
- relatives living in the same territory with the infected;
- survivors of sexual abuse;
- patients requiring a continuous blood transfusion.
How is
Emergency prevention of parenteral hepatitis and HIV infections is as follows:
- in case of an injection or cut, it is necessary to squeeze blood from the wound, then rinse your hands and treat them with 70 percent alcohol, then lubricate the wound with iodine;
- when biological fluids or blood gets on the skin, this place is treated with 70% alcohol, then washed and re-treated with alcohol;
- if blood enters the mucous membranes of the eyes, they are washed with a 1% solution of boric acid;
- for nasal mucosa, a 1% solution of protargol is used;
- for the mouth - a 70 percent solution of alcohol or a 1% solution of boric acid.
For emergency prevention, azidothymidine is prescribed during the first month. This drug improves the antiviral protection of the human body. At high risk of infection, you must consult a specialist who will explain all the necessary procedures.
Immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine are given to medical personnel who come in contact with the biomaterial of an infected person.
Forecasts
Parenteral hepatitis is rarely fatal, only in severe cases. The prognosis may worsen with existing liver diseases in the body or with a combination of two different forms of hepatitis. As a rule, patients live for several decades, and death occurs as a result of cirrhosis or liver cancer.