Hepatitis a in water. Resistance of hepatitis A, B and C viruses in the external environment

Hepatitis C and HIV are serious diseases with similar routes of infection. Based on statistics, the occurrence of coinfection (the presence in the body of two infections at the same time) is observed in 70% of citizens. The developing immunodeficiency "puts at risk" the already weakened liver. If we analyze each infection separately, then we can highlight some specific features.

Today we will focus on viral hepatitis C, or rather its susceptibility to environmental conditions. At what temperature does the hepatitis virus die, and what preventive measures are there? More about everything.

Hepatitis C: features of the disease

Among all hepatic lesions, hepatitis C is the most common pathology of an infectious origin. In medicine, this disease is called "affectionate killer". And for good reason. Having in most cases a long asymptomatic course, this virus slowly destroys liver cells and causes complications in the form of a tumor or cirrhosis of the organ.

Having entered the body, the virus binds its RNA with cell receptors hepatocytes (liver cells), after which it enters the cell. There he starts the process of copying and reproducing. This period is considered incubation or latent (latent), which can last from several months to several years (on average 1-6 months). If, in addition to infection, HIV or other liver pathologies are also present, this time is significantly reduced.

Before describing how the hepatitis C virus dies, and whether it dies at all, let's consider the possible symptoms:

pain in the epigastrium, localized in the right hypochondrium; weakness, apathy, depressed mood; lack of appetite, resulting vomiting and nausea; hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), and sometimes the spleen (hepatosplenomegaly); yellowness of the skin and mucous membranes (including and sclera of the eyes); joint pain; discoloration of feces or urine.

All this indicates an acute stage of the course. With its chronic manifestation, the symptoms may change somewhat.

Infectious agent

The liver-killing virus comes from the flavivirus family. Contains an RNA sheath through which it easily penetrates the liver cells. This infectious agent it is not in vain that the liver chooses as a target organ. This is due to the fact that penetrating into hepatocytes, the virus settles well there. Indeed, even with the entire response of the immune system to the appearance of foreign agents in the body, immunity cannot destroy the pathogen without destroying the liver tissue.

How stable is the virus in the external environment

At what temperature can hepatitis C virus die? The answer to this question is ambiguous. It is known that there has been a lot of research done on this matter. For laboratory testing, biological fluids from chimpanzees (blood) were used, as well as the animals themselves. The samples taken were infected with the pathogen, and then subjected to vacuum drying for 16 hours. After that, the samples were soaked in a sterile solution, and the samples themselves were divided into several parts, of which:

one part was frozen to -70 ° C; the other part was recreated artificial conditions room temperature (25 ° C, 40% humidity); the number of samples stored under room conditions was halved. Where one half was tested for 4 days and the other half was tested for 7 days.

At low temperatures, the virus does not die and can remain active for a sufficient period of time (measured in years). Experiments carried out on animals showed that after freezing, all chimpanzees were infected with acute stage of hepatitis C. Samples that were kept in room conditions showed negative results. After the prescribed days, laboratory analysis of the test animals showed the absence of markers of viral hepatitis C.

Heat treatment at high temperature

Summarizing all of the above, it is already possible to draw certain conclusions. But many people may wonder if the pathogen dies when boiling? The fact is that in comparison with hepatitis B, the virus of the same name disease C is very unstable in the external environment. At room temperature, it can last from 16 to 96 hours. If boiled, the virus can die at a temperature of 100 ° C in 2 minutes, and when washing at 60 ° C - in half an hour.

Alcohol exposure

Alcohol is a powerful antiseptic that prevents possible infection. There are several types of alcohol:

ethanol (60% to 90%); propyl alcohol (60% to 70%); isopropyl (70% to 80%).

There are also mixtures of the presented species. The most powerful and concentrated alcohol solution is from 90% to 96%. It is capable of destroying even proteinaceous tissues, since during application they coagulate (protein coagulation). Speaking about whether alcohol kills the hepatitis C virus, there is no definite answer.

It is known that the pathogen can maintain its vital activity in an alcohol solution for up to 2 minutes, and during this time, alcohol vapors will simply evaporate. Therefore, talking about 100% security in this case is meaningless.

Iodine

Many people know or have seen how iodized solution is used during surgery. The surgical field is treated with it, and iodine in this case acts as an antiseptic for the possible prevention of infections.

Iodine is not very effective - the virus can continue to be active.

If we talk about protection against hepatitis C, iodine in this situation is not much effective, as well as alcohol - the virus can continue to be vital. However, due to emergency situations, treatment with alcohol or 5% iodine is required.

At what temperature do hepatitis viruses die?

There are a sufficient number of types of hepatitis. The most common are A, B and C. As we have already found out, boiling is an effective method of destroying the virus in the external environment. In this case, it is reasonable to find out at what temperature hepatitis A, B, C viruses die.

As you can see, the hepatitis B virus is the most resistant to changing conditions. Noting the C virus, it can be added that it instantly dies when it dries from ultraviolet radiation.

Methods for treating hepatitis

Treatment, treatment and again treatment is the only way to kill the hepatitis A, B and C viruses that have entered the human body. But if in situation A, in principle, not everything is so sad, then with the pathogen of group B and C, the task of doctors is preventive measures and drug therapy, aimed at maintaining the functioning of the liver and avoiding the occurrence of relapses.

Name of the disease	Treatment in children	Treatment in adults
Hepatitis A	It is most often found in childhood, and therapeutic measures consist of such a complex: the exclusion of active motor games and sports for six months; vitamin therapy; strict bed rest for about 8-10 days, after which short walks are possible; drug treatment(hepatoprotectors for plant based); diet food.	This disease does not pose a serious infectious threat, and many European countries practice home treatment. Basic therapy is based on the following principle: diet; drug treatment (mainly choleretic drugs); taking vitamins; observance of the motor regime; compliance with the drinking regime.
Hepatitis B	The main goal is to stop the activity of the viral pathogen and prevent possible progression of the disease. In this case, the following is prescribed: a strict diet; taking interferons; hepatoprotectors; restriction of sports activities; restoration of normal intestinal microflora; vitamins.	In adults, the treatment will be the same.
Hepatitis C	The course of treatment is individual. These are mainly interferons and immunomodulating drugs. In the case of a malignant form, it is possible to use corticosteroid hormones.	With hepatitis C, an adult must adhere to certain rules: observe a sleep and rest regimen; to refuse from bad habits; avoid overwork and emotional stress; adhere to dietary nutrition. From drug therapy used: protease inhibitors; interferons; RNA polymerase inhibitors.

Attention: Positive test an anti-HCV test is not a direct sign that a person is sick. The presence of antibodies to the virus is only an immune response to a meeting with the pathogen, and antibodies cannot infect another person.

Preventive actions

Knowing all about preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of hepatitis C. To this end, listen to these recommendations:

The presence of one proven sexual partner is a guarantor of safety (not always, of course, but still). The best protection against the penetration of the virus is contraception, namely condoms. Infection through the blood is common. This can be non-sterile medical instruments, reuse of a needle for tattooing and piercing, direct contact of the wound surface with contaminated blood. In such a situation, if a biological fluid with a virus gets on the wound, you must immediately squeeze out a few drops of blood, use 5% iodine and alcohol. On the mucous eyes - washed with water or boric acid 1%, on the mucous membranes of the mouth - rinse with 70% alcohol, boric acid - 1%. Further, preventive medications... Here's how to kill the hepatitis virus at this stage. Also, ditch questionable salons, and think carefully before taking such risks. Personal hygiene should remain personal. No matter what family and close relationship you are, but combs, toothbrushes, manicure supplies, cosmetics, etc. should be used only by you.If there is a patient with hepatitis C in the family, you must follow all precautions, and it is best to get vaccinated.

And hepatitis C is not a verdict. At the right way life there is an opportunity to maintain normal living conditions, the main thing is to adhere to the doctor's recommendations.

The best option is to prevent the development of the disease. With all the precautions taken, the chances of excellent health are greatly increased.

How long the hepatitis virus lives is influenced by various factors. Hepatitis is an anthroponous viral disease... Infection occurs through contact with contaminated blood, during surgery, cosmetic procedures, or through direct contact with other biological fluids. It is believed that the resistance of the hepatitis C virus in the environment is relatively lower, but the risk of infection is not leveled.

The hepatitis virus is not very resistant to environmental factors, but you should not lose your vigilance to protect yourself from infection with it.

The causative agent of hepatitis C

Hepatitis is caused by a virus of the Flaviridae group, and of the genus of hepaciviruses. The HCV microorganism is 80 nm in size and looks like a sphere. It spreads evenly all over the world. But the most striking outbreaks of the disease have been recorded in Latin America. The hepatitis C virus is transmitted in the same way as the B virus. The virus is endowed with genetic variability, which is expressed in mutations. Due to this, one genotype of the virus has 40 subtypes. Due to the large number of subtypes of infection, HCV infections are quite common. Each genovariant proceeds with its own specific characteristics and a different risk of complications.

The likelihood of infection

With direct contact with the blood of an infected person, the probability of the risk of infection is 3-10%. Other methods of transmission of the virus, such as touching mucous membranes or getting blood drops, have the same likelihood of infection. Airborne virus infection is excluded. Also, the infection is transmitted:

when visiting tattoo parlors; during sharing narcotic substances; during performance job duties by medical workers; during blood transfusion and other medical procedures, the risk of infection is 4%; during unprotected sexual intercourse, the probability is 3-5%; in cases of using other people's razors, brushes; vertical route of infection - from an infected mother the virus is transmitted to a child with a risk of up to 5% ...

How long can hepatitis live in the external environment?

The resistance of the causative agent of the infection increases in air at sub-zero temperatures. Compared with the duration of existence in the warm period of the year, the virus will live longer in the cold period. The vital activity of the microorganism at room temperature lasts from 16 hours to 4 days in an open space. When the air temperature is below 0 ° C, the life cycle of the virus lasts more than a year.

At what temperature does it die?

In the external environment, the hepatitis virus can survive for about three days at different temperatures.

Inactivation of the microorganism occurs when boiling for 2 minutes. He also dies when ultraviolet effect... When studying the resistance of the microorganism, scientists conducted a study on chimpanzees. For this, samples of the pathogen were stored in a vacuum for 16 hours. Then, half of the samples were frozen at -70 ° C, and the other half was stored at a temperature of + 25 ° C. After all the manipulations, the microorganisms were examined and introduced into the chimpanzee organisms. As a result of a scientific experiment, it was concluded that outside the human or animal body, the causative agent of hepatitis remains active in the external environment for up to 80 hours, after which it dies.

How much blood does it take to get infected?

In 90%, infection occurs through contact with the blood of an infected person. But this is only with direct contact, that is, the ingress of contaminated blood on the damaged areas of the skin of a healthy person. If the skin is intact, infection will not occur. At the same time, the concentration of the virus in the blood should also be high, since the body of a healthy person is struggling with negative influence with the help of the immune system.

Diagnostics after exposure to the virus

For diagnostics, a study is used called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which detects antibodies to the causative agent of infectious diseases. Determine the presence of pathogens and polymerase chain reaction with high accuracy. If the result of blood tests is positive, further diagnostics are prescribed, which includes:

biopsy; liver biochemical samples; ultrasound; coagulogram.

Prophylaxis

Infection with viral hepatitis C can be prevented if the following rules are observed:

Avoid drug use and minimize sexual intercourse with unverified partners. It is advisable to use barrier contraception, but even this measure does not give 100% protection against infection. Check the sterility of medical and cosmetic instruments in salons before use or bring your own.

Regardless of the depth of the wound on the body, it is recommended to seal the injury with a plaster. Such an activity will significantly reduce the risk of viral hepatitis infection. Persons who have previously had hepatitis C are obliged to refuse all types of donation. Before organ transplants or blood transfusions, it is worthwhile to carry out additional testing for pathogenic microorganisms.

Several years ago, virologists raised the alarm about the high prevalence of viruses different types hepatitis C among hospitalized patients. At the same time, the patients did not undergo procedures with the use of any instruments, they did not receive blood transfusions, each one used individual hygiene items.

Why did the infection occur? Did the virus get into human organisms from the surfaces of objects, although almost all known methods previously stated that HCV does not live in the external environment for more than 4 days?

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In 2013, US scientists led by Robert Heimer published research results - the viability of viruses in dried drops of blood plasma can persist for up to 6 weeks.

What else does a person need to know about the “affectionate killer” that quietly destroys the liver?

Breaking stereotypes about HCV instability

Specialists of the research group studied all possible ways of contact infection of HCV among patients and medical staff in laboratories, as well as medical and preventive institutions.

How long can the hepatitis C virus live when it is in a biological fluid? As a result of the experiments, it turned out that the stability and viability of HCV on the surface of various objects is in direct proportion to the air temperature.

Scientists have found out how long the virus lives in the air: from +4 to +22 degrees, it retained the properties of infection for 6 weeks. An excess and a decrease in temperature caused a decrease in its activity during the first and second weeks of storage.

In addition, researchers conducted experiments on the degree of influence on the viability of HCV of various alkaline antiseptics and ethanol. As it turned out, the virus dies only at strictly defined concentrations of chemicals.

After the experiments, previously unexplained cases of infection were confirmed: accidental contacts of a person with biological materials of sick people outside the body, on household items, are dangerous to health.

Air-dried saliva, blood, and other liquids, when they enter the bloodstream through wounds on the skin, mucous membrane, become sources of infection in 75%.

At the same time, experiments with vacuum drying and subsequent freezing of hepatitis C viruses indicate that HCV viability is very high in blood fluid samples frozen immediately after drying. They retain the properties of infection for many years. After thawing in air, the virus is as dangerous to humans as during the initial excretion from the host's body.

How can viruses living in the external environment be killed?

How long does it take to kill HCV pathogens?

Fast destruction guarantees surface treatment with antiseptics:

acids - hydrochloric, phosphoric, boric; chloramine; miramistin; hydrogen peroxide; ethanol 70% (and alcohol-containing liquids).

The concentration of substances is determined by the methods of epidemiological measures.

A reliable method for destroying viruses is disinfection of the premises and the objects located there with ultraviolet radiation.

How much HCV lives on average in drops of biological fluids outside the body of a sick person? Up to 6 weeks, so clothes should be washed as soon as they become dirty. HCV dies at a temperature of + 100 ° C in a few minutes, and above + 50 ° C in half an hour, therefore, it is recommended to wash only by machine at a temperature of +60 and above for 30 minutes, or to boil the laundry for five minutes.

If you come into contact with contaminated blood?

How can a virus be killed inside a blood stain on the skin?

HCV instantly dies if you dissolve and use bleach for treatment. Recommended proportion: 1 part powder to 100 parts water. In addition, there are special virucidal disinfectants in pharmacies.
In the event of a wound or scratch with any object, where hepatitis C viruses may be present, you need to squeeze blood from the damaged area of ​​the skin, rinse the affected area thoroughly with soapy water. After that, be sure to treat with alcohol (70%) and iodine. If a biological fluid infected with viruses gets into the mouth, you should immediately rinse the mucous membranes with a solution of potassium permanganate or alcohol (70%). If blood gets on the nasal mucosa, it must be moistened with a 1% solution of protargol. If blood splashes inside the eyes, they are washed with a 1% boric acid solution.

In case of contact with contaminated blood, you should immediately consult a doctor and donate blood for analysis. Usually, the analysis is taken immediately, then after 1 month and after 3 months.

Ways of transmission of HCV pathogens and methods of prevention

Given that the resistance of viruses outside the body is quite high, and infection is most often due to the penetration of pathogens through the blood, the following life situations are recognized as dangerous to health:

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using a reusable syringe or other medical instrument for injection that may not be sterilized enough;
tattooing or piercing in places that do not meet sanitary standards; acupuncture, donation carried out in violation of sanitary epidemiological rules; the use of strangers, received from strangers, personal items: manicure scissors, razors, toothbrushes, anything that can have a particle of contaminated biological fluid; promiscuous sex without condom protection.

Risk group: homosexuals, people with drug addiction, doctors, people who receive organs untested for the hepatitis C virus during transplantation, or undergo hemodialysis. In addition, a baby can get HCV at birth from an infected mother.

There is no vaccine for this dangerous disease today.

The main modes of transmission are considered parenteral, sexual and vertical (from mother to fetus). Each of the people at risk must be tested for the carrier of the virus. There are job descriptions and other instructions on how many times a year you need to donate blood.

Statistical data

The main danger of the disease is a latent course, so a person may not know that he has been sick for 10, 15, or 20 years. In addition, the risk of disease is that HCV has a uniquely high genetic variability. Determining how many genotypes of the virus live in the body of an infected patient, as well as which one, is quite difficult today, since the virus mutates quickly.

To identify this, high-precision studies (for example, PCR) are required, since a negative test result for the presence of hepatitis C in the blood does not guarantee 100% exclusion.

But it so happens that the hepatitis C virus lives in the body, but is not detected due to infection in the past, or during the examination of convalescents.

A PCR study at the onset of the disease, while there is still not a sufficient number of viruses in the blood, may also not show the presence of infection, therefore, it is imperative to be tested several times.

How many days after the onset of infection can PCR show that a virus is living in the body? Practice shows that the RNA of the pathogen is detected approximately one or two weeks after contact with a sick person. In this case, coinfection can be detected, that is, simultaneously with HCV, the hepatitis B virus or HIV can live in the body.

Advice from hepatologists

In 2012, there was a breakthrough in the treatment of hepatitis C. New direct-acting antiviral drugs were developed, which with a 97% probability of completely eliminating the disease. From this point on, hepatitis C is officially considered a completely treatable disease in the medical community. In the Russian Federation and the CIS countries, drugs are represented by the brands sofosbuvir, daclatasvir and ledipasvir. At the moment, a lot of fakes have appeared on the market. Medicines of good quality can only be purchased from companies that have licenses and appropriate documentation.
Go to the website of the official supplier >>

Among the total mass of people infected with HCV, 35% are people from 16 to 35 years old. This is due to drug use, promiscuous sex.

Among people who received donated blood, tissues and organs before 1992 (at a time when a thorough check for virus carriers was not carried out, and one-time medical instruments were not used), almost 70% are infected.

How many people in the world with undetected HCV is not known for certain, however, doctors believe that today 500 million people multiply the hepatitis C virus, and almost half of them have not identified the mechanism of its transmission, since the course of the disease is often unsystematic, therefore it is impossible to detect the onset of infection.

How can you prevent infection?

What rules are important to follow in order not to get infected, and also not to transmit the disease to other people?

Since viruses are spread through contact with blood, and their transmission through other biological fluids is not excluded, it is important to prevent close contacts with infected people:

do not use general hygiene items; injections should be done only with disposable syringes;
in case of injuries on the road, disinfect other people's harnesses with alcohol; do not try on other people's earrings, refuse to use jewelry, manicure accessories; instruments for tattooing, acupuncture, piercing must be sterile, or new - from a freshly opened package; cover wounds on the skin tightly with a plaster; always use condoms; monitor compliance with sanitary epidemiological rules in medical institutions.

How long can it take before the first symptoms of hepatitis C appear? 10 days, six months, or 10 years, and all this time a person may not be aware that he is a carrier of the virus. HCV does not fly in the air, but it lives for a long time in dried blood stains and other types of biological fluids at temperatures from +4 ° C. Domestic contamination can be prevented by observing the rules of personal hygiene and sanitation.

Hepatitis C viruses have been systematically studied only since 1989, and thorough examinations of blood and its products (plasma, serum) have been carried out only since 1992. But even today, the methods of infection have not been studied enough: how much HCV lives outside the body (in air, water) in each individual case is not known for certain.

Therefore, the main defense against illness is prevention: the less close contact with strangers, the lower the health risk. In addition, carefully monitor the sterility of the instruments during various cosmetic procedures and medical procedures.

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Yakutina Svetlana

Expert of the VseProPechen.ru project

Viral hepatitis is a group of common and dangerous infectious diseases for humans, which differ quite significantly from each other, are caused by different viruses, but still have a common feature is a disease that primarily affects the human liver and causes inflammation. Therefore, viral hepatitis different types often collectively referred to as jaundice, one of the most common symptoms of hepatitis.

Jaundice epidemics have been described as early as the 5th century BC. Hippocrates, but the causative agents of hepatitis were discovered only in the middle of the last century. In addition, it should be noted that the concept of hepatitis B modern medicine can mean not only independent diseases, but also one of the components of a generalized, that is, affecting the body as a whole, pathological process.

Hepatitis (a, b, c, d), that is inflammatory liver damage, possible as a symptom of yellow fever, rubella, herpes, AIDS and some other diseases. There is also toxic hepatitis, which includes, for example, liver damage from alcoholism.

We will talk about independent infections - viral hepatitis. They differ in origin (etiology) and course, but some symptoms different types this disease are somewhat similar to each other.

Classification of viral hepatitis

The classification of viral hepatitis is possible in many ways:

Danger of viral hepatitis

Especially dangerous for human health hepatitis viruses B and C... The ability to exist for a long time in the body without noticeable manifestations leads to severe complications due to the gradual destruction of liver cells.

One more characteristic feature viral hepatitis is what anyone can get infected... Of course, in the presence of such factors as blood transfusion or work with it, drug addiction, promiscuous sex, the risk of contracting not only hepatitis, but also HIV increases. Therefore, for example, healthcare providers should regularly donate blood for markers of hepatitis.

But you can also get infected after a blood transfusion, injection with a non-sterile syringe, after an operation, a visit to the dentist, in a beauty parlor or for a manicure. Therefore, taking a blood test for viral hepatitis is recommended for everyone who is exposed to any of these risk factors.

Hepatitis C can also cause extrahepatic manifestations such as autoimmune diseases... A constant fight against the virus can lead to a perverse reaction of the immune system to the body's own tissues, resulting in glomerulonephritis, skin lesions, etc.

Important: in no case should the disease be left without treatment, since in this case the risk of its transition to a chronic form or rapid damage to the liver is higher.

Therefore the only affordable way protect yourself from the consequences of hepatitis infection, it is to rely on early diagnosis with the help of tests and subsequent visits to the doctor.

Forms of hepatitis

Acute hepatitis

The acute form of the disease is the most typical for all viral hepatitis. Patients have:

• deterioration of health;
• severe intoxication of the body;
• impaired liver function;
• the development of jaundice;
• an increase in the amount of bilirubin and transaminase in the blood.

With adequate and timely treatment acute hepatitis ends complete recovery of the patient.

Chronic hepatitis

If the disease lasts more than 6 months, then the patient is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis. This form is accompanied by severe symptoms (asthenovegetative disorders, enlarged liver and spleen, metabolic disorders) and often leads to cirrhosis of the liver, the development of malignant tumors.

Human life is under threat, when chronic hepatitis, the symptoms of which indicate damage to vital organs, is aggravated by improper treatment, reduced immunity, alcohol dependence.

Common symptoms of hepatitis

Yellowness appears in hepatitis as a result of the ingestion of the enzyme bilirubin, which is not processed in the liver, into the blood. But it is not uncommon for this symptom to be absent in patients with hepatitis.

Usually, hepatitis in the initial period of the disease manifests flu symptoms... At the same time, the following are noted:

• temperature increase;
• body aches;
• headache;
• general malaise.

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

Descriptions of the symptoms of viral hepatitis

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A or Botkin's disease is the most common form of viral hepatitis. His incubation period(from the moment of infection until the first signs of the disease appear) is from 7 to 50 days.

Causes of Hepatitis A

The greatest spread of hepatitis A reaches in the third world countries with their low sanitary and hygienic standard of living, however, isolated cases or outbreaks of hepatitis A are possible even in the most developed countries of Europe and America.

The most common route of transmission of the virus is through close household contact between people and the consumption of food or water contaminated with fecal material. Hepatitis A is also transmitted through dirty hands, which is why children most often get it.

Hepatitis A symptoms

The duration of the disease with hepatitis A can vary from 1 week to 1.5-2 months, and the recovery period following the disease sometimes stretches to six months.

The diagnosis of viral hepatitis A is made taking into account the symptoms of the disease, anamnesis (that is, the possibility of the disease occurring due to contact with patients with hepatitis A is taken into account), as well as diagnostic data.

Hepatitis A treatment

Of all the forms, viral hepatitis A is considered the most favorable in terms of prognosis, it does not cause serious consequences and often ends spontaneously, without requiring active treatment.

If necessary, hepatitis A can be successfully treated, usually in a hospital setting. During illness, patients are recommended to bed rest, a special diet and hepatoprotectors are prescribed - drugs that protect the liver.

Prevention of hepatitis A

The main preventive measure for hepatitis A is hygiene. In addition, children are recommended to be vaccinated against this type of viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B or serum hepatitis is much more dangerous disease characterized by severe liver damage. The causative agent of hepatitis B is a virus containing DNA. The outer shell of the virus contains a surface antigen - HbsAg, which causes the formation of antibodies to it in the body. Diagnosis of viral hepatitis B is based on the detection of specific antibodies in the blood serum.

Viral hepatitis b remains infectious in blood serum at 30-32 degrees Celsius for 6 months, at minus 20 degrees Celsius - 15 years, after warming up to plus 60 degrees Celsius - for an hour, and only with a 20-minute boil it disappears completely. That is why viral hepatitis B is so common in nature.

How is hepatitis B transmitted?

Infection with hepatitis B can occur through the blood, as well as through sexual intercourse and the vertical route - from mother to fetus.

Hepatitis B symptoms

In typical cases, hepatitis B, like Botkin's disease, begins with the following symptoms:

• temperature rise;
• weakness;
• joint pain;
• nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms such as dark urine and discoloration of the stool are also possible.

Other symptoms of viral hepatitis B may also appear:

• rashes;
• enlargement of the liver and spleen.

Jaundice for hepatitis B is uncommon. Liver damage can be extremely severe and, in difficult cases, lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis B treatment

Treatment for hepatitis B requires integrated approach and depends on the stage and severity of the disease. The treatment uses immune drugs, hormones, hepatoprotectors, antibiotics.

To prevent the disease, vaccination is used, which is usually carried out in the first year of life. It is believed that the duration of post-vaccination immunity to hepatitis B is at least 7 years.

Hepatitis C

The most severe form of viral hepatitis is considered hepatitis C or post-transfusion hepatitis. Anyone can get hepatitis C virus infection and is more common in younger people. The incidence is increasing.

This disease is called post-transfusion hepatitis due to the fact that viral hepatitis C infection most often occurs through the blood - through blood transfusion or through non-sterile syringes. Currently, all donated blood must be tested for the hepatitis C virus. Less often, sexual transmission of the virus or vertical transmission from mother to fetus is possible.

How is hepatitis C spread?

There are two ways of transmission of the virus (as in viral hepatitis B): hematogenous (i.e. through the blood) and sexual. The most common route is hematogenous.

How does the infection take place

At blood transfusion and its components. Previously, this was the main method of infection. However, with the advent of the method of laboratory diagnostics of viral hepatitis C and with its introduction into the mandatory list of donor examinations, this path faded into the background.

The most common way at present is infection with tattooing and piercing... The use of poorly sterilized, and sometimes not at all processed, instruments led to a sharp surge in the incidence.

Often, infection occurs when visiting dentist, manicure rooms.

Using common needles for intravenous drug administration. Hepatitis C is extremely common among drug addicts.

Using common with a sick man of toothbrushes, razors, nail scissors.

The virus can be transmitted from mother to child at the time of birth.

At sexual contact: this path is not so relevant for hepatitis C. Only in 3-5% of cases unprotected sex infection may occur.

Injection with infected needles: this infection is not uncommon among healthcare professionals.

In about 10% of patients with hepatitis C, the source remains unclear.

Symptoms of hepatitis C

There are two forms of the course of viral hepatitis C - acute (relatively short period, heavy course) and chronic (protracted course of the disease). Most people, even in the acute phase, do not notice any symptoms, however, in 25-35% of cases, symptoms similar to other acute hepatitis appear.

The symptoms of hepatitis are usually after 4-12 weeks after infection (however, this period can be within 2-24 weeks).

Symptoms of acute hepatitis C

• Loss of appetite.
• Abdominal pain.
• Dark urine.
• Light-colored chair.

Chronic Hepatitis C Symptoms

As with the acute form, people with chronic hepatitis C often experience no symptoms in the early or even late stages of the disease. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a person to be surprised to find out that he is sick after an accidental blood test, for example, when going to the doctor in connection with a common cold.

Important: It is possible to be infected for years and not know about it, which is why hepatitis C is sometimes called the "silent killer".

If the symptoms do appear, then they are likely to be as follows:

• Pain, bloating, discomfort in the area of ​​the liver (in the right side).
• Fever.
• Muscle pain, joint pain.
• Decreased appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Depression.
• Jaundice (yellow tinge to the skin and sclera of the eyes).
• Chronic fatigue, fatigue.
• Vascular "stars" on the skin.

In some cases, as a result of the body's immune response, damage not only to the liver, but also to other organs can develop. For example, kidney damage called cryoglobulinemia may develop.

In this condition, abnormal proteins are present in the blood, which become solid when the temperature drops. Cryoglobulinemia can lead to various consequences from skin rashes to severe renal failure.

Diagnosis of viral hepatitis C

Differential diagnosis is similar to that for hepatitis A and B. It should be borne in mind that the icteric form of hepatitis C, as a rule, proceeds with mild intoxication. The only reliable confirmation of hepatitis C is the results of marker diagnostics.

Given the large number of anicteric forms of hepatitis C, it is necessary to carry out marker diagnostics of persons who systematically receive a large number of injections (primarily, intravenous drug users).

Laboratory diagnostics of the acute phase of hepatitis C is based on the detection of viral RNA in PCR and specific IgM by various serological methods. When hepatitis C virus RNA is detected, genotyping is desirable.

The detection of serum IgG to antigens of viral hepatitis C indicates either a previous illness or the continuing persistence of the virus.

Treatment of viral hepatitis C

Despite all the formidable complications that hepatitis C can lead to, in most cases the course of hepatitis C is favorable - for many years the hepatitis C virus may not show itself.

At this time, hepatitis C does not require special treatment - only careful medical monitoring. It is necessary to regularly check the function of the liver, at the first signs of activation of the disease, it should be carried out antiviral therapy.

Currently, 2 antiviral drugs are used, which are most often combined:

• interferon alpha;
• ribavirin.

Interferon alpha is a protein that the body synthesizes on its own in response to viral infection, i.e. it is actually a component of natural antiviral defense. In addition, interferon alpha has antitumor activity.

Interferon alpha has many side effects, especially when parenteral administration, i.e. in the form of injections, as it is usually used in the treatment of hepatitis C. Therefore, treatment should be carried out under compulsory medical supervision with the regular determination of a number of laboratory parameters and a corresponding correction of the dosage of the drug.

Ribavirin as an independent treatment has low efficiency, however, when combined with interferon, it significantly increases its effectiveness.

Traditional treatment quite often leads to complete recovery from chronic and acute forms of hepatitis C, or to a significant slowdown in the progression of the disease.

Approximately 70-80% of people with hepatitis C develop a chronic form of the disease, which is the greatest danger, since this disease can lead to the formation malignant tumor liver (i.e. cancer) or cirrhosis of the liver.

When hepatitis C is combined with other forms of viral hepatitis, the patient's condition can deteriorate sharply, the course of the disease can become complicated and lead to death.

The danger of viral hepatitis C is also that effective vaccine, capable of protecting a healthy person from infection, does not currently exist, although scientists are making a lot of efforts in this direction of preventing viral hepatitis.

How many live with hepatitis C

Based on medical experience and research in this area, living with hepatitis C is possible and even long enough. A common disease, among other things, like many others, has two stages of development: remission and exacerbation. Often, hepatitis C does not progress, that is, does not lead to liver cirrhosis.

It must be said right away that lethal cases, as a rule, are not associated with the manifestation of the virus, but with the consequences of its effect on the body and general violations in work various bodies... It is difficult to indicate a specific period during which pathological changes that are incompatible with life occur in the patient's body.

Various factors affect the rate of progression of hepatitis C:

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, there are more than 500 million people in whose blood a virus or antibodies-pathogens are found. These data will only go up every year. The number of cases of cirrhosis of the liver worldwide has increased by 12 percent over the past decade. The age category is on average 50 years old.

It should be noted that in 30% of cases the progression of the disease is very slow and lasts about 50 years. V individual cases fibrotic changes in the liver are quite insignificant or absent at all, even if the infection lasts for several tens of years, so you can live with hepatitis C for quite a long time. So, with complex treatment, patients live 65-70 years.

Important: if appropriate therapy is not carried out, then life expectancy is reduced to an average of 15 years after infection.

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D or delta-hepatitis differs from all other forms of viral hepatitis in that its virus cannot multiply in the human body in isolation. To do this, he needs a "helper virus", which becomes the hepatitis B virus.

Therefore, delta-hepatitis can be considered rather not as an independent disease, but as a companion disease that complicates the course of hepatitis B. When these two viruses coexist in the patient's body, a severe form of the disease occurs, which doctors call superinfection. The course of this disease resembles the course of hepatitis B, but the complications characteristic of viral hepatitis B are more common and more severe.

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E in its characteristics it is similar to hepatitis A. However, unlike other types of viral hepatitis, with a severe form of hepatitis E, there is a pronounced damage not only to the liver, but also to the kidneys.

Hepatitis E, like hepatitis A, has a fecal-oral mechanism of infection, is common in countries with hot climates and poor water supply to the population, and the prognosis for recovery is favorable in most cases.

Important: the only group of patients for whom infection with hepatitis E can be fatal are women in last trimester pregnancy. In such cases, mortality can reach 9-40% of cases, and the fetus dies in almost all cases of a pregnant woman with hepatitis E.

Prevention of viral hepatitis in this group is similar to the prevention of hepatitis A.

Hepatitis G

Hepatitis G- the last representative of the family of viral hepatitis - in terms of its symptoms and signs, it resembles viral hepatitis C. However, it is less dangerous, since the progression of the infectious process inherent in hepatitis C with the development of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer is uncharacteristic for hepatitis G. However, the combination of hepatitis C and G can lead to cirrhosis.

Drugs for hepatitis

Which doctor should i contact for hepatitis

Tests for hepatitis

To confirm the diagnosis of hepatitis A, a biochemical blood test is sufficient to determine the concentration of liver enzymes, protein and bilirubin in the plasma. The concentration of all these fractions will be increased due to the destruction of hepatic cells.

Biochemical blood tests also help determine the activity of the course of hepatitis. It is by the biochemical indicators that one can get the impression of how aggressively the virus behaves in relation to liver cells and how its activity changes over time and after treatment.

To determine infection with two other types of the virus, blood tests are carried out for antigens and antibodies to hepatitis C and B. You can take blood tests for hepatitis quickly, without spending much time, but their results will allow the doctor to obtain detailed information.

By assessing the number and ratio of antigens and antibodies to the hepatitis virus, you can find out about the presence of infection, exacerbation or remission, as well as how the disease responds to treatment.

Based on the data of blood tests in dynamics, the doctor can adjust his prescriptions and make a forecast for the further development of the disease.

Diet for hepatitis

The diet for hepatitis is as gentle as possible, since the liver, which is directly involved in digestion, is damaged. With hepatitis, it is necessary frequent fractional meals.

Of course, diet alone is not enough to treat hepatitis; drug therapy is also needed, but proper nutrition plays a very important role and has a beneficial effect on the well-being of patients.

Diet reduces pain and improves general state... During an exacerbation of the disease, the diet becomes more stringent, during periods of remission - freer.

In any case, it is impossible to neglect the diet, because it is the reduction in the load on the liver that makes it possible to slow down and alleviate the course of the disease.

What can you eat with hepatitis

Foods that can be included in the diet with such a diet:

• lean meats and fish;
• low-fat dairy products;
• uncomfortable flour products, lingering cookies, yesterday's bread;
• eggs (protein only);
• cereals;
• boiled vegetables.

What not to eat with hepatitis

The following foods should be excluded from your diet:

• fatty meats, duck, goose, liver, smoked meats, sausages, canned food;
• cream, fermented baked milk, salted and fatty cheeses;
• fresh bread, puff and pastry, fried pies;
• fried and hard-boiled eggs;
• pickled vegetables;
• fresh onions, garlic, radishes, sorrel, tomatoes, cauliflower;
• butter, lard, cooking fats;
• strong tea and coffee, chocolate;
• alcoholic and carbonated drinks.

Prevention of hepatitis

Hepatitis A and hepatitis E, transmitted by the fecal-oral route, are quite easy to prevent if you follow the basic rules of hygiene:

• wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet;
• do not eat unwashed vegetables and fruits;
• do not drink raw water from unknown sources.

For children and adults at risk, there is vaccination against hepatitis A, but it is not included in the calendar of mandatory vaccinations. Vaccination is carried out in case of an epidemic situation in the prevalence of hepatitis A, before traveling to areas unfavorable for hepatitis. Recommended for workers to be vaccinated against hepatitis A preschool institutions and doctors.

As for hepatitis B, D, C and G, transmitted through the infected blood of a patient, their prevention is somewhat different from the prevention of hepatitis A. First of all, contact with the blood of an infected person must be avoided, and since it is enough to transmit the hepatitis virus minimum amount of blood, then infection can occur with the use of a single razor, nail scissors, etc. All these devices must be individual.

As for the sexual route of transmission of the virus, it is less likely, but still possible, therefore, sexual intercourse with unverified partners should take place only using a condom... Intercourse during menstruation, defloration, or other situations in which sexual intercourse is associated with the release of blood increases the risk of contracting hepatitis.

Most effective protection from infection with hepatitis B today is considered vaccination... In 1997, the hepatitis B vaccine was added to the compulsory immunization schedule. Three vaccinations against hepatitis B are carried out in the first year of a child's life, and the first time the vaccination is done in the hospital, a few hours after the birth of the baby.

Vaccinations against hepatitis B are given to adolescents and adults on a voluntary basis, and experts strongly recommend such vaccination to representatives of the risk group.

Recall that the risk group includes the following categories of citizens:

• workers of medical institutions;
• patients who received a blood transfusion;
• drug addicts.

In addition, people who live or travel in areas with high prevalence of hepatitis B virus, or have family contact with people with hepatitis B or hepatitis B virus carriers.

Unfortunately, vaccines for the prevention of hepatitis C at the moment does not exist... Therefore, its prevention comes down to the prevention of drug addiction, mandatory testing of donor blood, explanatory work among adolescents and young people, etc.

Questions and answers on the topic "Viral hepatitis"

Question:Hello, what is a healthy carrier of hepatitis C?

Answer: A hepatitis C carrier is a person with a virus in their blood and no painful symptoms. This state can last for years until the immune system restrains the disease. Carriers, as a source of infection, must constantly take care of the safety of their loved ones and, if they wish to become parents, carefully approach the issue of family planning.

Question:How do I know if I have hepatitis?

Answer: Make a blood test for hepatitis.

Question:Hello! I am 18 years old, hepatitis B and C is negative, what does this mean?

Answer: The analysis showed the absence of hepatitis B and C.

Question:Hello! My husband has hepatitis B. I recently had my last hepatitis B vaccine. A week ago, my husband's lip cracked, it is not bleeding now, but the crack has not healed yet. Is it better to cancel kisses until it heals completely?

Answer: Hello! It is better to cancel, and you should hand over anti-hbs, hbcorab total, PCR quality to him.

Question:Hello! I did an edged manicure in the salon, they hurt my skin, now I'm worried, how long will it take to get tested for all infections?

Answer: Hello! Contact an infectious disease specialist to resolve the issue of emergency vaccination. After 14 days, you can take a blood test for RNA and DNA of hepatitis C and B viruses.

Question:Hello, please help: I ​​was recently diagnosed with chronic hepatitis b with low activity (hbsag +; dna PCR +; dna 1.8 * 10 in 3 tbsp. IU / ml; alt and ast are normal, other indicators in biochemical analysis are normal ; hbeag -; anti-hbeag +). The doctor said that no treatment is required, no diet is needed, however, I have repeatedly come across information on various sites that all chronic hepatitis can be treated, and even there is a small percentage of complete recovery. So maybe it's worth starting treatment? And yet, this is not the first year I have been using hormonal drug, which the doctor appointed. This drug has a negative effect on the liver. But it is impossible to cancel it, what to do in this case?

Answer: Hello! Regularly observed, follow a diet, exclude alcohol, possibly the appointment of hepatoprotectors. HTP in this moment not required.

Question:Hello, I'm 23 years old. Recently I had to take tests for the medical board and this is what it turned out: the analysis for hepatitis B is deviating from the norm. Do I have a chance to pass a medical examination for a contracted service with such results? I was vaccinated against hepatitis B in 2007. Symptoms have never been observed associated with the liver. I did not suffer from jaundice. Nothing bothered. Last year, for six months, I took SOSRET 20 mg per day (there were problems with the skin of the face), nothing more special.

Answer: Hello! Probably transferred viral hepatitis B with recovery. The chance depends on the diagnosis made by the hepatological commission.

Question:Maybe the question is at the wrong address, tell me who to contact. The child is 1 year and 3 months old. We want to vaccinate him against infectious hepatitis. How can this be done and are there any contraindications.

Answer:

Question:What should other family members do if the father has hepatitis C?

Answer: Viral hepatitis C refers to "blood infections" of a person with a parenteral mechanism of infection - during medical manipulations, blood transfusions, during sexual intercourse. Therefore, at the household level in family outbreaks, there is no danger of infection for other family members.

Question:Maybe the question is at the wrong address, tell me who to contact. ebony is 1 year and 3 months old. We want to vaccinate him against infectious hepatitis. How can this be done and are there any contraindications.

Answer: Today it is possible to vaccinate a child (as well as an adult) against viral hepatitis A (infectious), from viral hepatitis B (parenteral or "blood") or a combined vaccination (hepatitis A + hepatitis B). Vaccination against hepatitis A once, against hepatitis B - three times at intervals of 1 and 5 months. Contraindications are standard.

Question:My son (25 years old) and daughter-in-law (22 years old) are sick with hepatitis G, they live with me. In addition to the eldest son, I have two more sons, 16 years old. Is hepatitis G contagious to others? Can they have children and how this infection will affect the health of the child.

Answer: Viral hepatitis G is not transmitted by household contact and is not dangerous for your younger sons. A woman infected with hepatitis G can give birth to a healthy baby in 70-75% of cases. Since this is generally a fairly rare type of hepatitis, and even more so in two spouses at the same time, in order to exclude a laboratory error, I recommend repeating this analysis again, but in a different laboratory.

Question:How effective is hepatitis B vaccine? What are the side effects of this vaccine? What should be the vaccination plan if a woman is going to become pregnant in a year? What are the contraindications?

Answer: Vaccination against viral hepatitis B (carried out three times - 0, 1 and 6 months) is highly effective, cannot lead to jaundice by itself and has no side effects. There are practically no contraindications. Women planning pregnancy and who have not had rubella and chickenpox must, in addition to hepatitis B, also be vaccinated against rubella and chickenpox, but no later than 3 months before pregnancy.

Question:What to do with hepatitis C? To cure or not to cure?

Answer: Viral hepatitis C should be treated if there are three main indicators: 1) the presence of cytolysis syndrome - increased performance Alt in whole blood serum and diluted 1:10; 2) a positive test result for antibodies of the class of immunoglobulins M to the nuclear antigen of the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCVcor-Ig M) and 3) detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in the blood by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Although the final decision should still be made by the attending physician.

Question:An employee was diagnosed with hepatitis A (jaundice) in our office. What should we do? 1. Whether to disinfect the office? 2. When does it make sense for us to get tested for jaundice? 3. Should we limit contact with families now?

Answer: Disinfection in the office should be done. Tests can be taken immediately (blood for ALT, antibodies to HAV - hepatitis A virus of immunoglobulin M and G classes). It is advisable to limit contacts with children (before the tests or up to 45 days after the detection of a case of the disease). After the situation has been clarified, healthy non-immune employees (negative results of testing for IgG antibodies to HAV) should be vaccinated against viral hepatitis A, as well as hepatitis B, in order to prevent similar crises in the future.

Question:How is the hepatitis virus transmitted? And how not to get sick.

Answer: Hepatitis A and E viruses are transmitted through food and drink (the so-called fecal-oral route of transmission). Hepatitis B, C, D, G, TTV are transmitted from medical manipulations, injections (for example, among injection drug users using one syringe, one needle and a common "shirka"), blood transfusions, during surgical operations with reusable instruments, as well as during sexual intercourse (the so-called parenteral, blood transfusion and sexual transmission ). Knowing the transmission routes of viral hepatitis, a person can control the situation to a certain extent and reduce the risk of the disease. There are vaccines against hepatitis A and B in Ukraine for a long time, vaccinations with which give a 100% guarantee against the occurrence of the disease.

Question:I have hepatitis C, genotype 1B. He was treated with Reaferon + Ursosan - no result. What drugs to take for the prevention of liver cirrhosis.

Answer: In hepatitis C, the most effective combination antiviral therapy: recombinant alpha 2-interferon (3 million per day) + ribavirin (or in combination with other drugs - nucleoside analogs). The treatment process is long, sometimes more than 12 months under the control of ELISA, PCR and indicators of cytolysis syndrome (ALT in whole and 1:10 diluted blood serum), as well as at the final stage - liver puncture biopsy. Therefore, it is desirable to be observed and undergo laboratory examination by one attending physician - it is necessary to understand the definition of "no result" (dosage, duration of the first course, laboratory results in the dynamics of drug use, etc.).

Question:Hepatitis C! Child 9 years old - all 9 years old fever. How to treat? What's new in this area? Will they find the right way of treatment soon? Thank you in advance.

Answer: Temperature is not the main symptom chronic hepatitis C. Therefore: 1) it is necessary to exclude other reasons elevated temperature; 2) determine the activity of viral hepatitis C according to three main criteria: a) ALT activity in whole and 1:10 diluted blood serum; b) serological profile - Ig G antibodies to HCV proteins of the NS4, NS5 and Ig M classes to the HCV nuclear antigen; 3) test the presence or absence of HCV RNA in the blood by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, and also determine the genotype of the detected virus. Only after that it will be possible to talk about the need to treat hepatitis C. In this area, today there are quite progressive drugs.

Question:Is it possible to breastfeed a baby if the mother has hepatitis C?

Answer: It is necessary to test the mother's milk and blood for RNA of the hepatitis C virus. If the result is negative, you can breastfeed the baby.

Question:My brother is 20 years old. In 1999 hepatitis B was discovered. Now he was diagnosed with hepatitis C. I have a question. Does one virus pass into another ?. Can it be cured? Is it possible to have sex and have children? He also has 2 lymph nodes on the back of his head, can he be tested for HIV? I didn’t use drugs. I beg you, answer me. Thank you. Tanya

Answer: You know, Tanya, with a high degree of probability, infection with two viruses (HBV and HCV) occurs just during injection narcotic drugs... Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to clarify this situation with your brother and, if necessary, recover from drug addiction... Drugs are a cofactor that accelerates the adverse course of hepatitis. It is advisable to be tested for HIV. One virus does not pass into another. Chronic viral hepatitis B and C are now treated and sometimes quite successfully. Sex life- with a condom. You can have children after treatment.

Question:How is hepatitis A virus transmitted?

Answer: The hepatitis A virus is transmitted from person to person by the fecal-oral route. This means that a person with hepatitis A sheds viruses in their faeces, which, if not hygienic enough, can get into food or water and infect another person. Hepatitis A is often referred to as "dirty hands disease."

Question:What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis A?

Answer: Often, viral hepatitis A is asymptomatic, or under the guise of another illness (for example, gastroenteritis, flu, colds), but, as a rule, some of the following symptoms may indicate the presence of hepatitis: increased fatigue, drowsiness, tearfulness and irritability in children; decreased or lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, bitter belching; discolored feces; temperature rise to 39 ° C, chills, sweating; pain, feeling of heaviness, discomfort in the right hypochondrium; darkening of urine - occurs a few days after the first signs of hepatitis appear; jaundice (the appearance of a yellow color of the sclera of the eyes, body skin, oral mucosa), as a rule, appears a week after the onset of the disease, bringing some relief to the patient's condition. Often, signs of jaundice with hepatitis A are completely absent.

Among all hepatitis type "C" is considered a fairly serious disease, which in 80% is chronic and complicated by cirrhosis. Replaced by connective tissue, liver cells become the basis for malignancy, which is manifested by hepatocellular carcinoma.

Often, the patient seeks a doctor at a late stage, when it is practically impossible to restore the structure of the liver. Through a thorough diagnosis, the specialist determines the type of pathogen, after which he selects the most effective medicines for this case.

The causative agent belongs to flaviviruses. In comparison with hepatitis B, type "C" is less commonly transmitted when intimacy and in a vertical way.

The main route of spread of pathogens is through the blood. It is carried out by direct contact with both fresh and dried biological material. Long-term preservation in the environment and resistance to adverse conditions are due to the specific properties of the pathogen.

There are the following ways of spreading the infection:

1. use of a contaminated reusable / disposable syringe by a healthy person after a virus carrier;
2. tattooing and piercing with non-sterile instruments;
3. acupuncture;
4. blood transfusion (blood transfusion). Due to careful screening of the material being handed over, the incidence of infection has decreased significantly compared to the period before 1992;
5. manicure performed with contaminated instruments;
6. hemodialysis;
7. use by healthy people of hygienic means of the virus carrier. Each person should have a personal razor, scissors, toothbrush and towel;
8. promiscuous sex without condoms. A higher risk of infection is observed with intimacy, when the mucous membrane of the genitals is injured, and blood contact occurs;
9. the vertical method is the transmission of pathogens from the mother to the baby. During the period of embryo gestation, the likelihood of infection is minimal, but during childbirth, the risk increases significantly. With natural delivery, forceps can damage the skin the baby through which it becomes infected.

The risk group for infection includes:

1. medical workers;
2. injection drug addicts;
3. patients who often receive blood transfusion;
4. homosexuals;
5. boarding school staff;
6. people living in a house with a virus carrier;
7. HIV-infected;
8. patients of the hemodialysis department.

How long does hepatitis C live in the external environment?

V Lately the frequency of registration of HCV of various genotypes has increased significantly, which alarms doctors. About five years ago, research results were published in America, which indicated a good resistance of the hepatitis C virus in the external environment. The infection can retain its properties in dried blood for up to six weeks.

Employees of the research institute studied the possible ways of spreading the virus both in the laboratory and in hospitals. How long the hepatitis C virus lives in air depends on the ambient temperature. Of course, after a person is infected, the pathogen falls into ideal conditions, but with blood, saliva and other biological fluids, it is periodically released outside, which requires some adaptation from it.

The pathogenic agent retains its infectious properties for a week, provided the temperature is maintained within the range from + 4 to +22 degrees. Any fluctuations outside the specified range are accompanied by inhibition of its activity.

The length of the period during which the patient's biological material can remain infectious depends on how long the hepatitis C virus lives. This is necessary for people who often come into contact with him or live in an apartment with a carrier of the infection. Given the resistance of the pathogen to air, blood drops should be removed from the surface of furniture with antiseptics, and not just with a napkin dipped in water.

It is important to remember that the pathogen is not afraid of low temperatures. In the course of numerous tests, it was found that drying of HCV followed by freezing did not lead to the death of the infection. She can live and maintain her properties for years... After placing the pathogen in warm conditions he again becomes dangerous to others.

Chimpanzees were used for the experiments, since they have DNA similar in structure to human. First, the blood sample was dried and divided into three parts:

• the first was frozen at a temperature of 70 degrees;
• the second was soaked in distilled water and left in the chamber, where optimal conditions were created (+25, humidity 40%). After 4 days, the sample was frozen;
• the third - similar to the previous one, only the transfer to an environment with a low temperature was carried out in a week.

After the blood was restored, it was administered to primates, as a result of which their infection was diagnosed. From this it follows that prolonged freezing does not have a detrimental effect on the pathogen. Under indoor conditions, it loses its activity after 4 days, and after a week it dies.

At what temperature does hepatitis C virus die?

Scientists have found that the hepatitis C virus dies under the influence of disinfectants with a certain concentration of antiseptic substances. They should be known as a reliable way to inactivate HCV. How long the hepatitis C virus lives outside the body depends not only on the living conditions, but also on the methods of dealing with it.

It is possible to eliminate the infection with the help of chloramine, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol-containing solutions (propyl, ethanol 70%). Also, the pathogen is not resistant to hydrochloric, boric and phosphoric acids. A powerful antiseptic is 95% alcohol. It leads to the destruction of proteins by their coagulation. To overcome HCV, it is necessary to act on it with alcohol for two minutes, while preventing the evaporation of the antiseptic vapors.

Sterilization of the room and the objects in it is carried out using ultraviolet radiation. If the garment needs cleaning, it should be laundered as soon as possible. It is important to remember that the death of the pathogen during boiling is observed after a few minutes. If you use hot water(50 degrees), inactivation of the infection occurs in a quarter of an hour. In this regard, it is recommended to boil clothes contaminated with blood for five minutes or wash in a machine for half an hour at a temperature of 60.

How long do hepatitis C viruses and other forms of the disease live?

Today, seven forms of hepatitis are distinguished, of which the most common are types A, B and C. Below is their resistance in various habitats:

1. in the environment, namely in water, HCV persists for ten months, and on land - no more than a week. Under the influence of a 60-degree temperature, the pathogen withstands about two hours, however, when boiling, it collapses after five minutes;
2. HBV remains active in a room for three months. Frost acts on him much better, since the virus can persist for up to six years. At 60-degree exposure, the pathogen can withstand about 3 hours. Its inactivation is observed after a five-minute autoclaving, as well as after an hour of boiling in a soda solution;
3. in room conditions, HCV is able to maintain its infectious properties for up to four days, however, it does not withstand a two-minute boil and half an hour exposure to 60-degree temperatures.

What should I do if I come into contact with an infected object?

There are several options for fighting the infection, after which it loses its pathogenic properties and is deactivated:

• bleach instantly kills the pathogen. To obtain a solution, it is enough to thoroughly stir the powder in water in a ratio of 1: 100. In addition, in the pharmacy you can buy special antiseptics that have a detrimental effect on the virus;
• if you cut the skin with an infected object, immediately squeeze out the blood from the damaged area, carefully treat the affected area with soapy water and wipe it with alcohol (70%). Iodine can be used instead of the last antiseptic;
• eyes should be rinsed with 1% boric acid if blood with HCV has got into them;
• if an infected liquid enters the oral cavity, it is recommended to spit it out and rinse with a solution of potassium permanganate;
• if blood with viruses gets on the nasal mucosa, it is necessary to treat it with a solution of protargol.

To make sure that there is no infection, it is required to undergo laboratory diagnostics immediately after contact with contaminated material. Re-examination is prescribed after 4 and 24 weeks.

To avoid infection and to prevent the infection of others, you must follow the precautions and the following recommendations:

1. you must use exclusively personal hygiene products... Everyone should have their own nail scissors, towel and razor;
2. if contaminated blood or saliva gets on household items or clothes, it is necessary to clean them as soon as possible, since the pathogen may persist in active form long enough;
3. injections must be performed with disposable syringes;
4. use the services of proven beauty salons with a high sanitary and epidemiological level;
5. do not try on other people's jewelry (earrings, piercings);
6. use sterile instruments for manicure, medical care (surgery), as well as diagnostics (gynecological examination);
7. you need to give up drugs;
8. the wound surface on the skin after treatment with an antiseptic must be covered with a plaster;
9. condoms should not be neglected;
10. it is desirable to have one sexual partner;

It can occur in two ways: enteral, when the pathogen enters the gastrointestinal tract through the mouth, and parenteral, when the virus enters the bloodstream. Hepatitis A and E viruses enter the human body enterally, and hepatitis B, C, D, G and F viruses enter the parenteral route.

Hepatitis A and E viruses

Infection with viral hepatitis A and E occurs as a result of ingestion of contaminated food or water. The virus can enter the body through dirty hands when a person comes into contact with a sick hepatitis or does not follow the rules of personal hygiene after visiting public places.

A feature of the viruses that cause hepatitis A and E is their high resistance to the environment. At temperatures from +20 to + 24 ° C, the virus remains active for several weeks, and at low temperatures (up to + 5 ° C) it can remain active for several months. In this regard, most often hepatitis of this type get sick in the summer and autumn seasons.

Hepatitis A and E viruses die under the influence of direct ultraviolet rays, after boiling for 5 minutes, as well as treatment with disinfectants. Therefore, the disease can be prevented by drinking boiled water and thermally processed foods, washing hands with soap and water after visiting public places and before eating, and regularly cleaning the living quarters.

Hepatitis B and C viruses

Viral hepatitis B, C, D, G and F enter the body through the blood, that is, at the moment when the blood infected with hepatitis comes into contact with the blood of a healthy person.

Infection can occur naturally or artificially. The natural route of infection is unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, intrauterine infection of the fetus through cord blood from the mother or during childbirth. Infection can occur when using razors, a toothbrush, or a sponge from a sick person.

Artificial infection occurs when the hepatitis virus enters the body through damaged skin during surgery or examinations, during injections, dental procedures, tattoos, and blood transfusion. Drug addicts have a very high risk of contracting viral hepatitis, since they often use non-sterile syringes and needles to inject drugs. The source of infection is patients with acute, chronic or asymptomatic hepatitis B, C, D, G or F, as well as the biological environment of a sick person (saliva, blood, semen, vaginal discharge). One infected drop of blood or biological environment is enough for infection with hepatitis.

The hepatitis B, C, D, G, or F virus is extremely persistent in the environment. It retains its activity for a long time both at high and low temperatures. It is not destroyed ultra-violet rays and acidic environment. Therefore, there is no clear seasonality of the disease of these types of viral hepatitis. The virus can only be killed with disinfectants, boiling at + 120 ° C for 45 minutes or sterilizing in a hot oven at + 180 ° C for an hour.

To prevent the virus from entering the body, it is necessary to carefully process the diagnostic and surgical instrument, use only sterile syringes for the administration of drugs, do not take drugs, get tattoos only in specialized salons and only with a sterile instrument, and also exclude unprotected sexual contact with questionable partners.

The risk group for hepatitis B, C, D, G and F includes patients who need blood transfusions or blood products, transplant internal organs... To prevent infection with hepatitis in these cases, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination of donors, test the transfused blood and its preparations for the presence of the virus.

Chronic hepatitis

The disease becomes chronic, most often with hepatitis B, C, D, G and F, as well as when there is a combined infection, for example, with the virus B and D, C and F. Untimely or improper treatment of acute forms of viral hepatitis can also lead to the transition of the disease into a chronic form.

Prevention of viral hepatitis

The causative agents of viral hepatitis are resistant in the environment, so the risk of infection is quite high. But the heat treatment of products, adherence to the rules of personal hygiene, thorough cleaning of the living space, safe sex and the use of a sterile instrument during diagnostic or treatment procedures will prevent the virus from entering the body.

Dr. Lerner suggests a personal one. In St. Petersburg, it is possible to call a doctor at home. We send phytopreparations to other cities by mail.

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Hepatitis C is the most severe form of liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) or HCV. The infection is transmitted through blood during visits to medical institutions, beauty salons, collective drug use, etc. In 80% of cases, the disease acquires chronic course and is complicated by cirrhosis. Often, hepatitis C has a latent course, so patients seek medical help with a delay, when it is almost impossible to restore the structure of the gland.

Therefore, many patients are interested in the question of at what temperature the hepatitis C virus dies and how susceptible it is to environmental conditions. It is important for healthy people to know what to do after suspected exposure to HCV and how to prevent infection.

Stability of HCV in the external environment

V last years more and more often I diagnose hepatitis C, which provokes HCV of various genotypes, and this cannot but alert doctors. For this reason, studies have been carried out that indicate a good resistance of the hepatitis C virus in the external environment. The pathogenic agent retains its properties in dried blood for about 6 weeks.

HCV is stable in the external environment

Doctors have studied various methods of spreading infection in the laboratory. How long the hepatitis C virus lives in air depends on temperature indicators. It is known that after penetration into the human body, HCV feels great. But periodically it is released outward along with biological fluids (blood, saliva, etc.), so the pathogenic microorganism is able to adapt to other conditions.

Hepatitis C in the external environment remains contagious for 7 days if the temperature ranges from +2 to + 22 °. When it decreases or increases, the activity of the infectious agent decreases.

According to the results of laboratory studies, the virus is able to remain infectious at sub-zero temperatures for a long time; when boiled, it is inactivated after 1-2 minutes. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the hepatitis C virus dies.

The staff of the research center conducted a study, during which they revealed how long hepatitis lives in room temperature conditions. For this purpose, the blood of infected monkeys was used (105 doses). All samples were dried under vacuum for 16 hours. Some of them were soaked (a sterile liquid was used for this) and frozen at -70 °, and the rest of the blood doses were kept at a temperature of 25 ° and humidity above 40%. Some of the samples were stored under these conditions for 4 days, and the rest - 7 days. Then they were also soaked and frozen.

After the first stage of the research, the blood doses were restored, injected into the body of healthy monkeys, or studied by the laboratory staff. Samples were tested for viral load, HCV antibodies, and alanine aminotransphenase (ALT, an enzyme that detects liver pathology).

First, we studied the blood doses that were under normal conditions for 1 week. A low viral load was detected in the blood plasma. After about 4 months, the animals had no HCV markers, and the ALT concentration returned to normal.

Then the scientists turned to the study of samples that were stored for 4 days. More viral particles were found in the blood than in the first experiment. But after 130 days, there were no symptoms of hepatitis C and functional disorders of the gland.

And finally, the samples were examined, which were frozen after drying. The concentration of viral particles in them was high, and the animals were diagnosed with hepatitis C with an acute course. The viral load rapidly increased, hepatic cells with antigens to infection were found, and the concentration of ALT increased.

Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the hepatitis C virus outside the body at room temperature can exist from 16 hours to 4 days. Dry drops of blood, which may be on a syringe, a shaving razor, medical or cosmetic instruments, are especially dangerous for healthy people. Infection occurs when blood, saliva, sperm get into wounds on the skin or inner membranes.

HCV is killed immediately upon drying from ultraviolet radiation.

The infectious agent retains its properties in donated blood for a long time. To prevent infection, it is recommended to carefully examine the biological material of donors.

Disinfectants and antiseptics quickly kill HCV.

In reservoirs, HCV lives for 10 months, on land - about 7 days. At a temperature of 60 °, the virus persists for about 60 minutes, and when boiling dies after 5 minutes.

Now you know in what conditions the virus is able to live, and what are destructive for it.

Means for the destruction of the hepatitis C virus

Researchers have found that the pathogen is not resistant to disinfectants with a certain concentration of antiseptic components. It is these solutions that inactivate the hepatitis C virus.

Antiseptics can kill the virus

To quickly destroy HCV, you need to treat the contaminated surface with antiseptic agents. Hydrochloric, phosphoric, boric acid will kill the pathogenic microorganism. Chloramine, Miramistin, hydrogen peroxide are also used for this purpose.

Iodized solution is often used during surgical intervention, with its help, the surgical field is processed. Thus, the antiseptic prevents penetration pathogenic microorganisms... The virus remains vital in solution, but it is recommended to use it for emergency treatment of wound surfaces. For this purpose, iodine 5% is used.

Many people are interested in the question of whether alcohol kills the hepatitis C virus. Ethanol (70%) and alcohol-containing liquids help eliminate the infection. Ethyl alcohol (96%) is a powerful antiseptic that kills HCV within 2 minutes. According to doctors, 96 percent alcohol destroys the protein coat of the virus by coagulating it. When handling an infected item, it is important to prevent the evaporation of alcohol.

According to doctors, HCV can exist in an alcohol solution for about 2 minutes, but during this period the liquid will simply evaporate. For this reason, it cannot be guaranteed that the infectious agent will be destroyed.

As mentioned earlier, in order to surely get rid of the causative agent of hepatitis C, you need to disinfect the room with ultraviolet light.

Boiling is also a reliable way to kill HCV. If there are dried drops of the patient's blood on things, then they must be boiled. The infectious agent dies in water, the temperature of which is 100 °, in a few minutes, at 50 ° - in 30 minutes. Therefore, it is recommended to process things in a washing machine at a temperature of + 60 ° or more for half an hour or to boil the laundry for 5 minutes.

Handling contaminated blood

If the blood of an infected person gets on the skin, then the following measures must be taken:

• To destroy the causative agent of hepatitis C, bleach is used. Before processing, the powder is mixed with water (1: 100). This substance helps against various infections: hepatitis, immunodeficiency, tuberculosis, etc. Also, special antiseptics which are sold at the pharmacy.
• If a healthy person has damaged the integrity of the skin with a sharp object on which the hepatitis virus may be present, then he must immediately squeeze blood out of the wound. Then the damaged area is washed with soapy water and rubbed with ethyl alcohol (70%). The last antiseptic can be replaced with iodine.
• If the blood of an infected person gets on the mucous membrane of the eyes, then they are washed with a solution of boric acid (1%).
• When a virus enters the mouth, blood or other biological fluid, spit it out and rinse your mouth. For disinfection, a solution of potassium permanganate or alcohol (70%) is used.
• It so happens that the patient's blood enters the nasal passages. Then the mucous membrane is treated with Protargol 1% (colloidal solution of silver).

After HCV penetrates into the wound, the skin is washed with soapy water and treated with an antiseptic

After completing the above steps, the HCV should die. But to be sure of this, you need to immediately go to the doctor who will prescribe laboratory blood tests. As a rule, the diagnosis is carried out immediately after contact with the patient's body fluids, then after 4 weeks, and finally after 12 weeks.

How to avoid hepatitis C?

Everyone needs to know the rules for the prevention of hepatitis C: healthy people in order to prevent infection, and sick people so as not to infect others.

Hepatitis C virus may be present on manicure instruments

Preventive actions:

• Give up injecting drugs, but if you do use them, then use a new syringe every time.
• Use barrier contraceptives during intercourse. This is especially true for men who practice homosexual relationships.
• When visiting a dentist, gynecologist, and other specialists, ask how the doctor sterilizes the instruments. If possible, persuade the doctor to use a disposable instrument.
• The previous rule applies to the staff of the beauty parlor. If you go for a manicure, do piercings or tattoos, then before the procedure, require sterilization of the instrument or ask the master to use a new one.
• Before a blood transfusion or organ transplant, ask your doctor to check the donor status. If doctors cannot provide you with such information, then refuse the procedure.
• If there are wounds or scratches on the skin, be sure to cover them with a plaster and treat them around with an antiseptic.

A newborn can become infected with hepatitis C if the mother has HCV. To avoid this, a woman must warn the gynecologist about her condition. Then the doctor will raise the question of performing a cesarean section.

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that the hepatitis C virus is a very resistant form of life that can inhabit the environment for a long time. Boiling is used to kill the infection, ultraviolet radiation, alcohol solutions... But the best way out is to prevent infection. Only by observing the above rules, the patient will be able to live for a long time and not face this terrible disease.

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