Quite often in modern medical practice chronic hepatitis B is recorded. How many live with it and what are the prognoses for patients? What are the symptoms of the disease? The answers to these questions are of interest to many people, because this disease is today considered one of the most common on the planet. Moreover, with untimely diagnosis and the absence of treatment, hepatitis often ends in the death of a person.
What is hepatitis B?
To begin with, it is worth considering the main characteristics and characteristics of the disease. Under the term "chronic hepatitis B" it is customary to combine a group of diseases that affect hepatocytes. Of course, pathological changes in the liver tissue affect the work of the whole organism.
In most cases, similar liver lesions are observed when viruses enter the body. It is believed that almost a third of the world's population is sick or has previously had this infection. In about 7% of cases, acute hepatitis becomes chronic, which is already difficult to treat. By the way, the development of this disease can be associated with other factors.
Viral hepatitis and its features
What is chronic hepatitis B? How many live with him? Are there effective treatments? These questions are, of course, important, but first you need to consider the causes and mechanism of the disease.
As already mentioned, such a lesion is most often associated with the penetration of specific viral particles into the body. Hepatitis B virus is excreted along with biological fluids - this applies not only to blood, but also to sperm, vaginal secretions and saliva. Accordingly, catching an infection is very easy when in contact with an infected person. According to studies, in families in which a person with viral hepatitis lives, after 5-10 years, everyone becomes infected - the viral particles spread through the household.
Previously, it was possible to catch an infection during an injection or blood transfusion, visiting a dental office, or even a manicure. Today, such a spread of the virus is rare, as disposable instruments, as well as effective equipment for sterilization, have come into use. Nevertheless, the risk group includes people from socially disadvantaged groups of the population, as well as workers in the sphere of intimate services, drug addicts, as well as people with promiscuous sex life. Infection can also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy.
Other forms of chronic hepatitis B
Not only a viral infection can cause hepatitis B. There are other known forms of this disease:
- Autoimmune chronic hepatitis is a disease associated with genetic disorders in the functioning of the immune system, as a result of which it begins to attack its own cells. As a rule, the same hepatitis viruses, as well as herpes and some other groups of infections provoke an autoimmune reaction.
- Alcoholic hepatitis develops against the background of constant, prolonged alcohol abuse. It is observed in patients with chronic alcoholism.
- Medicinal chronic hepatitis develops as a side effect with the uncontrolled use of large doses of certain drugs, for example, antibiotics, isoniazid, powerful painkillers, anticoagulants, etc.
Stages of viral hepatitis
What does chronic hepatitis B look like? Symptoms of the disease depend primarily on the stage of development of the disease, which are usually four:
- The stage of immune tolerance is observed if the patient is infected at a very young age. During this period, some manifestations of the disease are absent. By the way, it can be long - up to 15-20 years.
- This is followed by the active stage, in which there is a rapid multiplication of viral particles, which is accompanied by massive death of liver cells. Sometimes such a course leads to the rapid development of cirrhosis. If this does not happen, the disease goes into the phase of inactive virus carrier - this is a transition to the chronic form of hepatitis.
- The stage of relative calm, in which the patient is only a carrier of the virus, can also last several years. Active reproduction of viral particles is not observed.
- Despite the fact that in the inactive period no serious violations are observed, the human body is weakened and more susceptible to various infections. Infection of viruses, whether it is herpes simplex or even a cold, can provoke a reactivation of the disease, or rather, an exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B, in which enhanced reproduction of viruses and death of liver cells begin again.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Manifestations of the disease largely depend on the stage of its development and the degree of liver damage. How to determine hepatitis B? Symptoms that concern patients in the first place are fatigue and constant weakness. As the disease develops, sleep problems appear, as well as frequent migraines.
Pain with hepatitis is also present - they are localized in the zone of the right hypochondrium. Patients complain of dyspeptic symptoms, in particular, nausea, bloating, heaviness in the abdomen, bitterness in the mouth, lack of appetite, dry mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
Itching and redness and rash are also possible. Often, a person has bleeding gums, small hemorrhages under the skin that occur even after a light blow or pinch, as well as the appearance of so-called spider veins.
Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis
Chronic hepatitis B is a disease in which liver cells are destroyed. Violation of the normal functioning of this organ affects the work of the whole organism. For example, against the background of hepatitis, strong changes in the level of hormones in the blood are often observed.
Persistent arterial hypertension, purpura, arthralgia, polyneuropathy may develop. Many patients experience damage to their muscles, organs of vision, endocrine glands, which may be accompanied by amenorrhea, thyroid disease, or even diabetes mellitus. The complications of hepatitis include malignant degeneration of cells.
Chronic hepatitis B: tests and diagnosis
Of course, to make an accurate diagnosis, you need to undergo a series of examinations. First of all, a biochemical blood test is performed, which allows the doctor to judge the work of the liver. A special blood test for markers allows you to confirm the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis virus in the patient's body.
An ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs is mandatory - this is a safe, painless and informative diagnostic method that allows you to detect changes in the size and structure of the organs. Often, patients are prescribed a liver biopsy. A laboratory study of liver tissue samples helps to determine the severity of the disease, its degree of spread, and even the expected outcome for the patient.
Hepatitis treatment regimen
Therapy for this disease largely depends on its origin. For example, an autoimmune form of hepatitis is treated with corticosteroids. In the presence of a viral infection, the use of immunomodulators is important. These drugs inhibit the process of reproduction of viruses. With severe intoxication of the body, appropriate measures are taken to cleanse the body of toxic substances. Potentially dangerous drugs and alcohol should also be discarded.
Further treatment is aimed at removing the load from the liver and gradually restoring its work. Therapy must be comprehensive. During the acute phase of the disease, bed rest and a minimum of physical activity are very important. For the patient make up the correct diet, rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins. From the menu you need to exclude spicy and salty dishes, preservation, fatty and fried foods, as well as alcohol. To improve digestion, special enzyme preparations can be used that should not contain bile. If the patient suffers from constipation, the problem is solved using mild laxatives. It is important to take medications - hepatoprotectors, which protect liver cells from harmful effects and contribute to tissue repair processes. Sometimes patients are additionally prescribed injections of B vitamins.
Chronic hepatitis B: how many live with it? Predictions for Patients
We have already considered questions about what provokes the development of this disease and what disorders it is accompanied by. So how dangerous is chronic hepatitis B? How many patients live with him?
There is no single answer to this question. Outcomes of chronic hepatitis B depend on its origin and the severity of liver damage. For example, if the disease is caused by taking medication, then you can almost completely restore the liver. Autoimmune hepatitis can also be treated well. As for chronic viral hepatitis, there is a very high probability of complications in the future, including cirrhosis.
That is why people are recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis, to avoid contact with the blood of infected people, to use protective equipment during sexual intercourse. A healthy lifestyle is important not only for the prevention of infection - it should also be followed by people who have already had hepatitis, since proper nutrition, therapeutic exercises, physical activity, the correct sleep and rest regimen reduce the likelihood of relapse.