Prevention of viral hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infectious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.
The source of infection includes patients with acute and chronic forms, as well as carriers.
The hepatitis B virus is extremely resistant in the environment. In dried blood stains, on razor blades, or needle tips, the virus can survive for a week. If the virus comes into contact with damaged skin or mucous membranes of another person, there is a risk of infection. It is often difficult for doctors to determine the route of patient infection. After all, one can get infected with hepatitis B by stepping on an unnoticed syringe needle on the beach or by grabbing a handrail on public transport.
The group at increased risk includes: drug addicts, individuals practicing promiscuous sexual relations, healthcare workers, patients requiring hemodialysis or blood transfusions, prisoners, and family members of a person infected with hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B virus infection can occur:
- parenterally (through blood) – via injection equipment (when using the same syringe, as among "intravenous drug users," during piercing and tattooing);
- sexually – through sexual contact when there are erosions, ulcers, microcracks, etc., on the mucous membranes of the genitals, lips, and mouth;
- vertically – from mother to fetus during pregnancy;
- through household contact – by sharing razors, blades, manicure and bath accessories, toothbrushes, towels, etc.
The virus is present in blood and various bodily fluids – saliva, urine, menstrual blood, etc.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B:
In most cases, infection with the hepatitis B virus leads to the development of acute hepatitis B. Less commonly, in individuals with weakened immunity or children infected during childbirth, acute hepatitis is not observed, and the disease takes the form of a primary chronic, slow-progressing illness.
The incubation period for hepatitis B ranges from 2 to 6 months. Acute hepatitis B can manifest in various forms: subclinical or anicteric, icteric, cholestatic, and prolonged.
The disease begins with fever, headache, general malaise, and body aches. The symptoms of the disease appear gradually and in the first stage resemble the manifestations of ARVI. After a few days, appetite decreases, jaundice, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, vomiting appear, urine darkens, and stool becomes discolored. As a rule, after the appearance of jaundice, the condition of patients improves. Gradually, over several weeks, the symptoms regress.
In most cases, with an adequate immune response, acute hepatitis B ends in complete recovery (90% of cases). With an asymptomatic, anicteric course, the disease can progress to a chronic form.
Chronic hepatitis B is characterized by an enlarged liver, pain or a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium, various dyspeptic phenomena; less commonly, jaundice, itching, and subfebrile temperature are detected. Patients complain of decreased appetite, belching, nausea, bloating, unstable stools, general weakness, sweating, and reduced work capacity. Chronic hepatitis B leads to gradual death of liver cells and the proliferation of connective tissue in place of dead cells – cirrhosis.
Prevention of hepatitis B, both specific (vaccination) and non-specific, is aimed at interrupting transmission routes.
Specific prevention (vaccination) is carried out with a vaccine against viral hepatitis B.
Non-specific prevention: - do not consume drugs; - use disposable instruments for piercing, tattooing, pedicure, and manicure; - protected sex (use of condoms during sexual contact); - have a single healthy sexual partner; - strictly observe hygiene rules in everyday life.
STAY HEALTHY!!!
SI "Rassonsky RCG&E" 2022, 50 copies.