Hepatitis, the classification of which is presented in this article, is a very relevant topic in modern medicine, since the disease is very widespread among the population. Often, the disease does not manifest itself and develops latently. There is a high risk of infection. This applies to an infectious form. In addition, a long-term illness can provoke irreversible fibrotic changes in the liver and severe liver failure, which, as a rule, is incurable.
Hepatitis
What is hepatitis? Classification involves the following varieties of the disease: an ailment of an infectious or viral nature. Medicine distinguishes its five main types A, B, C, D, E, which can cause inflammation of the liver. In addition, hepatitis can become a complication of diseases of an infectious nature, such as cytomegalovirus, mumps, rubella, etc.
What is hepatitis toxic origin? Pathologies developing under the influence of drugs, alcohol and poisons should be included in this category. Among drugs, drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis, antiviral drugs, sulfonamides, antibiotics that lower the temperature, and anti-seizures and oncological tumors have a high degree of toxicity. Autoimmune forms of hepatitis often have an unexplained etiology. The immune system begins to attack its own liver cells. Depending on the course of the disease, it is customary to distinguish two forms of the disease:
- Hepatitis in acute form. It manifests itself suddenly and is expressed in intoxication, fever, jaundice of the skin, but not in all cases. This scenario has most hepatitis of a viral and toxic nature. If the patient promptly consults a specialist, then after the acute form in most cases a complete recovery occurs.
- Chronic form. It can be the result of acute damage, autoimmune processes, the result of the use of alcoholic beverages and drugs, as well as prolonged treatment with hepatotoxic drugs. In addition, hepatitis of the viral etiology B and C can develop immediately as a primary chronic disease. The course of a chronic disease is characterized by erased symptoms. Therefore, the diagnosis is often late, when the liver has undergone serious damage.
Primary Transmission Channels
Only the viral form is contagious. In this case, the infection is transmitted in different ways:
- by dirty hands;
- through contaminated dishes and food.
In this way, hepatitis A and E. spread. Also, transmission occurs through contact with the blood of an infected person. In this regard, manicure, pedicure, tattooing, piercing, drug use by injection, etc. are a threat. This type of transmission is inherent in viral hepatitis B, C, D. Viruses B, C, D can also spread sexually.
Symptoms of hepatitis
How is hepatitis manifested? The main symptoms include:
- increased body temperature;
- pain in the hypochondrium on the right side;
- icteric color of skin and eyes;
- colorless feces;
- itchy skin;
- nausea
- dark color of urine;
- asthenia.
However, it should be noted that such signs do not always occur. In some cases, the disease proceeds secretly and is perceived by a person as a mild ailment.
Hepatitis A
If a person complains of feeling unwell, his body temperature is elevated, and his urine becomes dark (the color looks like a strong tea leaves), then you can suspect the development of a disease such as hepatitis A. In this form, chills may occur, accompanied by an upset gastrointestinal tract, nausea , vomiting, heaviness in the stomach and hypochondrium on the right. After some time, urine darkens, sclera and skin become icteric, feces become colorless. After the appearance of jaundice, the general condition of a person improves.
Type B
Viral hepatitis B is an infectious disease. Its appearance provokes a virus. It is ubiquitous and can affect anyone. Hepatitis Virus is mainly carried by the blood. The chronic form of this disease can cause severe complications and can be fatal. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease is very important. Signs of hepatitis B may appear at the 12th week of the incubation period. There are even vaccines against virus B that can reliably protect against the development of the disease.
Signs of the disease
What are the signs of hepatitis B? The latent period for the disease lasts up to six months. The first signs appear on the 12th week. Patients complain of asthenia, lack of appetite, nausea, heaviness in the right hypochondrium. Urine darkens and foams, feces brightens. Pain in the joints, disruption of the digestive tract are noted. Body temperature is elevated.
Hepatitis C
Why is hepatitis C dangerous? This is an infectious liver disease that is caused by a virus. Any person can become infected. As a rule, it occurs in young patients. The incidence rate in recent decades has been steadily increasing. Hepatitis C virus is transmitted through the blood. Are there any clear signs of hepatitis C? In most cases, the disease develops gradually and becomes chronic. However, it is asymptomatic.
What are the consequences of a disease like hepatitis C? The disease can disrupt the digestive tract and liver and go into a chronic form. By the way, it lends itself perfectly to treatment with modern medicines. Why is hepatitis C dangerous? It can cause cirrhosis. In addition, an active vaccine against the disease has not yet been invented, but infection can be prevented.
How is this type of ailment manifested?
What are the signs of hepatitis C? In general, the disease can be classified as asymptomatic. It is detected by chance. Most often, patients complain of asthenia, but the symptoms are worn out. Joint pains are manifested. An increase in the size of the liver and spleen is noted. How can hepatitis C be complicated? The consequences are most serious. One of the hardest is cirrhosis. With it, yellowness of the skin and eyes is manifested, the stomach swells, spider veins are visible, asthenia increases.
Variety D
This disease is caused by the hepatitis D virus. The causative agent of the disease cannot develop on its own. To do this, he requires the participation of the so-called assistant. Such is hepatitis B. The symbiosis of two viruses can cause a disease that distinguishes a severe course. Infection, as a rule, occurs during blood transfusion and through syringes of drug addicts. The sexual route, as well as the spread of the virus from mother to fetus, is not excluded. All B-infected patients are susceptible to hepatitis D.
Symptoms
How is hepatitis D manifested? The patient is worried about a fever. Pain in the liver, in the knees and other large joints is noted. Complaints of nausea are noted. The person has no appetite. He is lethargic and inactive.
Hepatitis E
Previously, before the identification of this variety, the disease did not belong to either group A or group B. The transmission mechanism is the feces of a sick person. The virus enters the body through contaminated water, less commonly through unwashed hands. Young people aged 15-29 get this type of hepatitis. In particular, this form has become widespread in countries with hot climates and poor water supplies. The prognosis of the disease is favorable. The exception is women who are in the last three months of pregnancy.
The main symptoms
The disease manifests itself in steps. The period preceding jaundice is characterized by asthenia, dizziness, loss of appetite. Nausea and vomiting are rare. Hepatitis E can be severe in the right hypochondrium or in the upper abdomen. Pain can be both moderate and acute. Body temperature remains within normal limits. Incubation lasts 9 days.
Further, a malfunction in the liver is observed, which marks the beginning of the icteric stage. Urine darkens, feces lighten. The skin and sclera of the eyes turn yellow. A complete blood count shows an increase in bilirubin. The patient suffers from itchy skin. Weakness and nausea persist. The liver is increasing in size. The duration of the disease is 1-3 weeks.
Hepatitis G
This type of disease is widespread. In Russia, the pathogen frequency is 2%, in the capital of Russia it is 8%. According to doctors, hepatitis G is the younger brother of hepatitis C. It is transmitted in the same way as the last - through the blood. The disease is widespread among people who use drugs. Sexual transmission of the disease, as well as the transmission of the virus from mother to fetus, is not excluded.
Symptomatology
The patient complains of a lack of appetite, pain in the right hypochondrium. Urine darkens and feces lighten. Nausea and vomiting are often noted. Jaundice begins to appear. The mouth and eyes turn yellow. The skin also gives yellow. The rate of bilirubin in the blood increases. The liver is increasing in size. Sometimes the same process occurs with the spleen. The disease can become chronic. When combined with hepatitis C, the disease can provoke the development of cirrhosis.
Botkin's disease
This is one of the mild forms of hepatitis A. The duration of incubation of this ailment is one and a half months. A person is easily susceptible to this disease. The virus that gets into his body causes a mandatory infection. Such an infection makes up 20% of the adult population. The disease often affects people in the autumn. At this time of the year, half of all cases of infection fall.
Autoimmune hepatitis
Hepatitis, the classification of which involves five main types, is also autoimmune. We will talk more about him. Autoimmune hepatitis is a progressive form of inflammation of the liver tissue. The disease is characterized by a high level of antibodies in the blood and hypergammaglobulinemia. With histological examination of liver tissue, periportal hepatitis can be diagnosed. It is characterized by the presence of stepwise or partial necrosis. This hepatitis is of unknown etiology. The disease progresses quite quickly. It can cause liver cancer, portal hypertension, liver failure, and even death.
Since pathognomonic symptoms are observed in the fall, when making a diagnosis such as autoimmune hepatitis, it is necessary to exclude the chronic form of viral hepatitis, Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis, drug and alcoholic hepatitis, non-alcoholic liver dystrophy, immune diseases, the presence of biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis .
The disease can develop in patients of different ages: from 9 months to 77 years. But, as a rule, it is diagnosed in patients younger than 40 years old. Autoimmune hepatitis may be misdiagnosed. A third of patients have comorbidities. Among them, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, ulcerative colitis, synovitis, thyrotoxicosis should be noted. Unfortunately, an autoimmune form of hepatitis is diagnosed in 25% of cases in the later stages, when the disease causes cirrhosis.
ICD classification of the disease
How are the varieties of a disease such as hepatitis divided in medicine? ICD classification involves the following list with its conditional codes:
- B15 is an acute form of hepatitis A.
- B16 is an acute form of hepatitis B.
- B17 - other types of acute hepatitis of a viral nature.
- B18 - viral hepatitis in chronic form.
- B19 - hepatitis of a viral etiology of not clear origin.
What are the consequences of hepatitis?
Infection with hepatitis implies a period of incubation: the time from the onset of the virus into the bloodstream to the first symptoms of the disease. This process entails the degeneration of liver cells. In case of hepatitis A, B, C, the duration of this period can be from 10-20 to 100-200 days, which is determined by many factors.
The development of hepatitis proceeds in the acute phase. The first manifestations of the disease can be severe and noticeable. Sometimes there is lightning-fast development that can lead the patient to death. Recovery may also occur. This happens when the virus leaves the body and the liver cells return to normal.
What are the features of hepatitis? Recovery occurs in all cases of damage to the body by the acute form of hepatitis A and, in most cases, hepatitis B. If this does not happen, then a chronic form develops. The reason that the acute form degenerates into a chronic one is the weakened state of the immune system. However, it is very difficult to give an unambiguous definition to those who recover and who do not.
The chronic form develops in 20% of cases of hepatitis V infection and in at least more than half of cases of hepatitis C infection. The fulminant form is the most dangerous form of the disease. It is extremely rare (in 1% of cases of hepatitis A or B). It can be fatal.
The dangerous effects of chronic hepatitis include liver cirrhosis and a cancerous tumor (hepatocellular carcinoma). Such a complication as cirrhosis of the liver is noted in 20% of cases of chronic hepatitis B and C. Viral forms of the disease often provoke cancer and become the main cause of liver transplantation.
The risk of death in the presence of chronic hepatitis is 15-50%. With cirrhosis of the liver, up to 50% of patients affected by the chronic form die within 5 years. This ailment is one of the ten main causes of death in the male population of developing countries.
As for treatment, the acute form does not require antiviral medication. At the same time in chronic it is prescribed. Combined treatment includes the patient taking interferons, which at the cell level enhance the body’s fight against the virus, and nucleosides, which replace the molecules of the genetic material of the virus.
Are there vaccines for the disease?
At present, in Russia, as in other Western countries, the process of immunity prevention is widely known. In other words, vaccination. It provides the human body with immunity to infection, even when in contact with the source of infection. Many are wondering if hepatitis can be vaccinated. To date, type A vaccines have been developed. The drugs have a high degree of effectiveness.
Hepatitis A vaccination is indicated for both children and adults who have not previously had this disease, and almost all people who have various liver diseases. Such a vaccination does not cause side effects and does not pose any danger. This vaccine is administered twice every six months or a year. Antibodies appear after the first dose of the drug after about 14 days. Thanks to this, a person can be protected from such an infection for 10 years.
Hepatitis B vaccine is obtained through genetic engineering. It contains an immunogenic protein. Such a vaccine is given intramuscularly to infants three times with an interval of one month after the first vaccination carried out in the hospital, and five months after the secondary vaccination. In this case, certain antibodies appear that inhibit the development of the disease in 99%. This vaccine provides reliable protection for 8 years and above. Sometimes it protects the body throughout life.
Hepatitis B vaccine should be given to all people, especially those at risk. Their work is related to blood (surgeons, doctors, laboratory assistants). Vaccination against forms A and B is done on the recommendation of a doctor. It is not planned. Many people even refuse it. Although for children, this vaccine by order of the Ministry of Health of Russia has become mandatory since 2002.
Unfortunately, hepatitis C vaccine has not yet been invented. Scientists were unable to detect a stable protein of the virus for which neutralizing antibodies could be developed. Many scientists are looking for ways to create such a drug, ongoing research is being conducted in this area. Clinical trials are regularly carried out in Europe.
Where can I get hepatitis tests?
Many people wonder where to donate blood for hepatitis. Analyzes can be done in any city or center of regional significance. If there is a suspicion of a disease, the therapist sends the person to the laboratory. To diagnose an ailment, as a rule, they resort to a blood test. For viral types of diseases, hepatitis D antigen or antibodies to virus C are determined. Antibodies of other types of hepatitis are also determined.
For forms that have a non-infectious etiology, a general and biochemical blood test, as well as liver tests, are advised. For patients, such an analysis is carried out free of charge and is paid for by the mandatory medical insurance policy. The results are obtained by the doctor who gave the referral to the laboratory. He tells them to the patient.
Typically, tests are performed in district clinics or medical centers with which an agreement has been concluded to conduct such manipulations. Also, a laboratory examination for the presence of hepatitis B or C can be passed in special offices that exist in large cities. They usually function along with AIDS centers. An HIV test is often indicated. These centers conduct diagnostics on a free and anonymous basis.
It happens that an urgent analysis is required. In this case, the examination is carried out in the laboratories of private clinics or diagnostic centers. Analyzes are carried out for 1-2 days, the conclusion is issued to the patient in his arms. If you receive a positive result with a free examination in order to clarify the diagnosis, you can conduct a secondary check on a paid basis. Quantitative tests may also be suggested. Private clinics also guarantee the accuracy, anonymity and speed of research.
How is the analysis carried out?
For the analysis to have maximum accuracy, blood is taken from a vein. The procedure is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. The last meal should be no later than 8-10 hours before blood donation. For a day, you should stop consuming fatty foods, spicy foods and alcoholic beverages. The analysis is carried out by laboratory assistants. In this case, all hygiene rules are observed. Usually 10 ml of blood is taken. In the laboratory, you can clarify information about when it will be possible to get an answer.
Conclusion
Hepatitis, the classification of which was presented in this article, is a serious liver lesion. It can cause complications, and with untimely treatment go into a chronic form. In some cases, it can even be fatal.