Today, about a quarter of the world's population is sick with hepatitis B. This disease is considered very dangerous and unpredictable, since it is impossible to say with full certainty what consequences the virus will lead in each particular case. This disease is more susceptible to women than men. But differences in its course by gender are not observed. What are the first signs of hepatitis B in women and treatment options for a pathological condition, we will consider in the article.
Definition and physical properties
Hepatitis B is a viral disease that affects the liver. The causative agent of this disease is a DNA genomic virus that can be integrated into the human genome. Its peculiarity is the ability to mutate, which is why the virus in most cases is insensitive to antiviral drugs. Without proper treatment, it easily goes into the chronic phase. Once in the body, it immediately begins to have a negative effect on the vital organs of a person. The liver is affected at the microcellular level. With untimely treatment or its complete absence, life-threatening conditions arise.
The main physical properties of hepatitis B are:
- The ability to survive for a while at boiling point.
- It tolerates freezing.
- It can be stored for about a week in a dried drop of blood.
- At room temperature can live up to 90 days.
- Alcohol (at least 80%) causes the death of the virus, after 2 minutes.
- Resistant to chemicals. For example, it can withstand chlorine treatment for two hours.
Types of Hepatitis B
Currently, the following classification of the disease exists:
- Fulminant. Within several hours after infection, cerebral edema develops, after which a coma occurs. In most cases, this type of disease is fatal.
- Acute. With this type, several stages of development are observed. At the early stage, the first signs of hepatitis B are observed in women, then the skin acquires a yellowish tint, after which, in the absence of adequate treatment, liver failure can occur.
- Chronic. It occurs within six months after infection. It is characterized by vivid symptoms.
Symptoms in women
Signs of hepatitis begin to appear in the acute stage of its development. Depending on the characteristics of the course of the disease, the following phases are distinguished:
1. The incubation period, which is hidden. Its duration is from 2 to 6 months, depending on the concentration of the virus and the immunity of the woman. Signs of hepatitis in women in the early stages are practically absent or very weakly expressed.
2. Anicteric period, the duration of which is from several hours to two weeks. Symptoms are easily confused with the development of influenza. Manifestations resemble mild intoxication of the body:
- Weakness and fatigue.
- Drowsiness.
- Mood swings.
- Body aches.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Digestive disorder, accompanied by nausea, heartburn, vomiting, constipation and other manifestations.
- Fever. In some cases, a fever develops.
- A rash with slight itching is possible.
The first signs of liver hepatitis in women can also include aching spontaneous abdominal pain and a slightly enlarged liver during palpation. Such painful sensations are easily confused with manifestations of digestive disorders.
3. The icteric period. Its duration is about a month. A characteristic feature is the light staining of the skin and mucous membranes in yellow. As bilirubin increases in the blood, the color becomes brighter, the urine darkens. Also in this period, the following signs of hepatitis in women appear:
- Bitterness in the mouth.
- Lack of appetite.
- The weakness of apathy is growing.
- The appearance of a characteristic rash in the form of spots up to 2 mm in size. Peeling is observed in their center. First localized on the buttocks, arms and legs, but with a worsening condition, the rash spreads throughout the body.
- Tachycardia.
- Respiratory failure.
- Depression
- Sharp mood swings.
- Hypotension.
- Enlarged liver and spleen. Palpations are defined as dense and painful.
The yellow color of the sclera of the eyes is one of the first symptoms of hepatitis in women. A photo of the sign is presented below.
4. The recovery period. With timely treatment and full compliance with the doctor’s recommendations, the signs of hepatitis B in women begin to regress and an improvement occurs.
- Itching of the skin disappears.
- The weakness is reduced.
- The appetite is normalized.
- The manifestation of jaundice is reduced.
- For some time, the liver and spleen remain enlarged, but over time, the size of the organs returns to normal.
You can easily see the onset of hepatitis symptoms in women. A photo of the first sign is presented below - the girl looks tired, she is tormented by headaches.
Chronic stage
This stage develops with untimely initiation of therapy or its complete absence. It is not treatable and stays with a person for life. The main danger of the chronic stage is the complications that can develop under the influence of the activity of the virus. According to statistics, the transition of the disease to this phase is more common in women. Pronounced symptoms may be absent. With an unhealthy lifestyle, the course of the disease goes much harder, accompanied by the development of secondary pathological conditions. Signs of chronic hepatitis in women can often coincide with the manifestations of an acute form of the disease. But women have symptoms that are unique to them:
- Menstrual irregularities.
- Sudden weight loss.
- Changes in the ovulation cycle.
- Various bleeding.
- Increased frequency of menstruation.
- The appearance of bruising on the body for no apparent reason.
The chronic stage can be inactive, that is, without the multiplication of the virus, or active - in this case, drugs are used that are prescribed by the attending physician individually. With the advanced stage of hepatitis B, liver cells are destroyed and their connective tissue is replaced, which provokes impaired organ functionality. Since the liver is a vital organ, the pathological conditions that develop in it have a negative effect on the whole organism.
Features of the course of the disease in pregnant women
The presence of hepatitis virus in a pregnant woman is a very dangerous condition for both her and the unborn baby. Signs of hepatitis B in women during pregnancy are quite pronounced. There is a high risk of intrauterine infection of the fetus or its infection during passage through the birth canal or during delivery in an operable way. After childbirth, the child is immediately vaccinated.
Infection methods
Hepatitis B virus can be found in any biological fluids, but its highest concentration is observed in the blood. The ways of infection with the virus in most cases are as follows:
- With a blood transfusion.
- Through injection using non-sterile syringes.
- Through manicure tools, during the procedure of tattooing or applying a tattoo, when the master uses the same consumables for several people.
- During operations.
- Unprotected intercourse.
- During dental procedures.
- Intrauterine infection from the mother of the carrier of the virus to the baby in case of violation of the integrity of the placenta or during childbirth. The virus is not transmitted through breast milk.
Infection by airborne droplets or by domestic means is not possible.
Risk zone
Currently, there are categories of people who are more at risk of infection. These include:
- HIV infected
- People leading promiscuous lives.
- Sexual partners of carriers of the virus.
- Doctors
- Patients who need hemodialysis.
- Injection addicts.
- Patients requiring frequent blood transfusions.
Diagnostic measures
If signs of the disease appear or if infection is likely, it is necessary to consult an infectious disease specialist who will conduct an examination and prescribe a set of diagnostic measures. An important step in the diagnosis is to collect an anamnesis of the disease, at which the specialist clarifies the possible risks of infection in the last 6 months.
To establish an accurate diagnosis, a number of laboratory and instrumental studies are used. Consider common diagnostic methods for hepatitis B:
- A general blood test, on which special attention is paid to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the content of leukocytes, platelets and the level of hemoglobin.
- The most informative is a blood test for the presence of antigens.
- General urine analysis.
- Coagulogram.
- Blood chemistry.
- Ultrasound examination of the liver in dynamics.
- Laparoscopy.
- Radioisotope scanning.
A biochemical blood test is an important step in the diagnosis of hepatitis, as its indicators may indicate pathological changes in the liver. In the presence of hepatitis B virus, the following results are observed:
- Increase AST and ALT up to ten times.
- Double bilirubin level increase.
- Hypoalbuminemia.
- The increase in immunoglobulins G.
- Decrease in cholinesterase activity.
- Decrease in prothrombin index.
- Pathology of bromsulfalein and antipyrine tests.
Treatment
When the first signs and symptoms of hepatitis in women appear, treatment is prescribed by a qualified doctor based on the results of all tests. The choice of therapy is determined individually in each case. The treatment of this disease is complex and includes conservative therapy and adherence to a special diet.
With early signs of hepatitis in women, therapy is aimed at suppressing the multiplication of the virus, restoring and maintaining the liver, and preventing the development of dangerous complications. If the course of the disease is uncomplicated, the doctor may decide on treatment at home, but under close supervision. It is necessary to systematically pass the prescribed tests. It is worth noting that self-medication is strictly prohibited, since improper selection of drugs can aggravate the situation and have a negative effect on liver cells.
If there are signs of hepatitis in women, conservative treatment will include the following categories of medications:
- Detoxification (chlosol, acesol, polyglucin, infucol), which are usually prescribed in the form of droppers to quickly remove toxins from the body.
- Sorbents (Enterosgel, Smecta, Polysorb) and probiotics (Linex, Maxilak, Normobakt)
- Hepatoprotectors for the restoration of liver cells ("Hepabene", "Heptral", "Urososan").
- Vitamins of group B.
- Sedatives (Novo-Passit, Grandaksin, Persen).
It is recommended to walk more in the fresh air and lead a healthy lifestyle.
With the transition of the disease to the chronic stage, the following treatment is prescribed:
- Antiviral agents, among which Interferon is actively used.
- Immunomodulators (Viferon, Kipferon, Kagocel).
- Hepatoprotectors (Karsil, Essentiale).
- Sometimes it may be necessary to use diuretics (Furosemide, Lasix, Diuver).
In especially advanced cases and with the development of life-threatening complications, a surgical method of treatment is prescribed, which includes a liver transplant. With the development of the oncological process, chemotherapy is performed.
Diet therapy
An important condition in the treatment of hepatitis B is a diet to unload the liver. Food should be fractional and in small portions.
The following products are prohibited:
- Fatty, spicy and smoked dishes.
- Carbonated drinks.
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Cold foods.
- Meat of waterfowl.
- High cholesterol foods.
The following product categories are recommended:
- Dairy products.
- Vegetable oils.
- Squirrels of eggs.
- Cereals, especially oatmeal.
- Low-fat varieties of fish and meat.
All food must be steamed or boiled. In the evening, it is recommended to give preference to light products.
Complications
Hepatitis B can lead to the development of dangerous diseases.
- Cerebral edema.
- Liver failure.
- Cirrhosis.
- The degeneration of the inflammatory process into oncological.
- Joining secondary infections.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Encephalopathy
- Fatal outcome.
Particular attention should be paid to possible complications during pregnancy. To date, statistics are such that about 80% of children become infected from a sick mother. Even immediate vaccination is not able to save some. In newborns, hepatitis B often occurs in fulminant form. Therefore, it is so important to take care of your health and protect yourself, as well as your baby from the possibility of infection.
Preventative measures
Prevention of hepatitis B consists of simple rules, adhering to which you can minimize the risk of infection. Currently, there are ways of active and passive prevention. Vaccination is active. The first vaccination is recommended for all newborns during the first 12 hours of their life, after which several revaccinations are carried out.
Passive prophylaxis includes the emergency administration of interferon after contact with a sick person.
The following rules are also very important:
- Careful hygiene.
- Boiling drinking water.
- Avoidance of promiscuous sexual intercourse.
- A thorough and timely examination during pregnancy.
- Timely treatment of viral infections and other diseases.
- Strengthening immunity.
- Take a course of vitamin therapy annually.
- Sterilization of manicure and cosmetology tools.
- Careful selection of dental clinic.
- Do not use personal belongings of a stranger, especially for personal hygiene products.
Conclusion
Knowing what signs of hepatitis in a woman appear at the initial stage of the disease, you can minimize the risk of developing dangerous consequences. To do this, you need to contact a specialist as soon as possible, who will prescribe the appropriate therapy for each specific case. Currently, the prevalence of viral hepatitis has increased significantly, so it is important to carry out preventive measures and not refuse routine vaccination. Women need to carefully monitor their health, because the health and life of their children depends on their decisions.