Is cirrhosis of the liver sexually transmitted? How is liver cirrhosis transmitted?

Is liver cirrhosis contagious? Is it possible to become infected with this disease while caring for and interacting with a sick family member? These questions are asked by sick people and their loved ones after such a diagnosis is made, fearing for the health of those around them and for their own health.

The answer is no! Since the disease “cirrhosis of the liver” itself is not contagious to others, it is not transmitted either through saliva, or through the air, household items, blood and urine.

This disease is a gradual replacement of healthy liver tissue with rough fibrous tissue, with the formation of connective tissue nodules in the liver. These processes are triggered under the influence of various infectious and non-infectious diseases of the liver and other various organs.

That is, cirrhosis of the liver is not transmitted from person to person, but some infectious diseases causing cirrhosis are transmitted very easily, causing the same cirrhosis in the infected person.

To determine what diseases can be contracted from a patient with cirrhosis, it is necessary to consider each causative disease in more detail.

So, how is liver cirrhosis transmitted?

Let's consider the first group - viral chronic hepatitis. If the root cause of liver cirrhosis is chronic hepatitis D, B, C of viral etiology, which is transmitted through blood and other body fluids, then we can conditionally assume that such liver cirrhosis is “contagious”.

From a patient with liver cirrhosis and infected with hepatitis D, C or B virus, a healthy person can become infected with one of the above viruses and subsequently develop cirrhosis of the liver.

After the onset of the disease, viral chronic hepatitis D, B or C, cirrhosis develops after about 20 to 25 years.

The time for the development of cirrhosis depends on the type of hepatitis virus, the state of a person’s immunity, alcohol consumption (accelerates the development of cirrhosis) and the presence or absence of other aggravating concomitant diseases.

You can become infected with the hepatitis B virus by:

It is worth noting that all those who provide tattoo services, manicure and pedicure, dental, minor and major surgical operations must process instruments in accordance with generally accepted standards, in a tendon cabinet or autoclave, or alternatively, use disposable instruments;

from mother to baby during natural childbirth or caesarean section;
when using a razor or other personal hygiene items of an infected person that may contain blood;
when using one syringe needle on a group of people, for example, drug addicts;
during blood transfusion.

Viral hepatitis B is spreading in Russia and there is an upward trend. There are 300–400 million people infected with this virus in the world, and in Russia 7% of the total population is infected with it.

The hepatitis B virus is extremely stable in the external environment.

This virus is not killed when treated with various strong disinfectants. It can only be inactivated by autoclaving or dry fat sterilization, heating to 60 degrees for 10 hours and boiling for an hour.

Can be stored outdoors for 1 week without change in a dried drop of blood on clothing, on a razor, or on a syringe needle.

All it takes is for a small drop of blood to fall on the wound surface and infection occurs. The hepatitis B virus is also found in the saliva, urine, milk, tears and feces of the patient.

But, fortunately, this virus cannot penetrate the skin and mucous membranes if they are not damaged and there are no wounds or cracks on them.

Therefore, household infection is almost impossible, except in cases where contaminated blood comes into contact with an open wound. healthy person(when treating abrasions and wounds in children, for example).

Those infected develop acute viral hepatitis, which can result in:

complete recovery with the formation of immunity against the hepatitis B virus (as with vaccination);
or become chronic.

Chronic hepatitis B ends in liver cirrhosis in 10–20%, depending on the activity of the disease.

Drinking alcohol during chronic hepatitis greatly accelerates the onset of cirrhosis.

Liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C virus is less resistant in environment, is destroyed by boiling in 2 minutes, by washing with water at 60 degrees in 30 minutes, and is also inactivated by chlorine-containing disinfectants.

The routes of transmission of the virus are the same as for hepatitis B. The predominant mechanism of transmission of virus C is parenteral and hematogenous: through blood transfusion, hemodialysis and the use of intravenous drugs (using one syringe per group of people). The probability of infecting a healthy partner with the virus through sexual intercourse is 4%. Transmission of the virus from an infected mother to a child during natural childbirth is possible, the probability is no more than 5%.

Acute viral hepatitis C becomes a chronic form of the disease in 80% of cases, and chronic viral hepatitis C ends in liver cirrhosis in 20% of cases.

Viral hepatitis C is called the “gentle killer” because after infection there are almost no clinical signs of the disease or they are disguised as other diseases (weakness, fatigue, poor appetite), and the liver is destroyed very quickly, causing the formation of cirrhosis of the liver, which often leads to death .

Accelerates the process of transition of viral hepatitis to cirrhosis of the liver: consumption of alcohol-containing drinks, children and old age.

Important! When drinking alcohol, cirrhosis of the liver develops in a patient infected with the hepatitis C virus after 5 to 8 years.

Viral hepatitis D

The condition for activation of the hepatitis D virus in human body is the presence of the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis D develops when a patient is simultaneously infected with virus B and D or with chronic carriage of virus B. The predominant routes of transmission are sexual and hematogenous.

Liver cirrhosis caused by cytomegalovirus hepatitis.

Cytomegalovirus hepatitis is a generalized form of cytomegalovirus infection that occurs in people with low immunity: children, newborns, the elderly, people receiving immunosuppressive therapy and people with HIV infection.

70% of the population have already had some form of cytomegalovirus infection and are immune to this disease.

Cytomegalovirus is detected in the blood, saliva, vaginal secretions, semen, feces, urine, and tears of an infected person. The routes of transmission are very diverse: from a sick person, the infection is transmitted through airborne droplets, contact (through household objects), through the placenta from mother to fetus and during childbirth.

All segments of the population are susceptible, but in people with good immunity the infection is asymptomatic.

Chronic cytomegalovirus hepatitis ends in liver cirrhosis in approximately 30% of patients.

This is a group of diseases caused by protozoa.

Toxoplasmosis is also not transmitted between people; you can get this disease by consuming poorly cooked meat or by ingesting foods contaminated with cat feces or sand, which contain toxoplasma oocysts.

You can become infected with brucellosis by eating contaminated milk, poorly cooked and fried meat, or by contact with infected animals (infecting the mucous membranes with your hands). oral cavity). Infection with opisthorochiasis is possible by consuming undercooked or raw fish with metacircariae of opisthorchiasis.

Conclusion

Thus, cirrhosis is not transmitted from person to person, but only the cause of cirrhosis - viral hepatitis - can be transmitted.

To prevent infection with viral hepatitis from a patient with liver cirrhosis (if the cause of cirrhosis is viral hepatitis), it is necessary:

A healthy spouse should be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
When having sex with someone infected with the hepatitis virus, you must use condoms.
When treating wounds of family members, it is necessary to use gloves and cover the wound surface with a plaster.
Use only your own toothbrush, razors, manicure scissors and other tools that may contain blood.
All family members of a sick person are recommended to be tested and vaccinated against hepatitis B.

How is liver cirrhosis transmitted? Many people who care about their health ask this question. This article is about how infection with this dangerous disease occurs.

Reasons for the development of cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is the process of gradual replacement of normal organ cells with fibrous cells with connective tissue nodular fractions. These processes are caused by various kinds of pathological processes of infectious or non-infectious origin.

In fact, cirrhosis of the liver itself is not contagious to others, therefore the pathology does not pass from person to person. However, some pathologies of infectious origin that contribute to the development of cirrhosis of the liver may well be transmitted and spread between patients.

To understand whether liver cirrhosis is contagious or not and what pathologies are transmitted from a patient with cirrhosis, you need to carefully study the etiology of the disease.

According to statistics, in about a quarter of cases the root cause is infectious pathologies. These are viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus infection, brucellosis, etc.

With viral hepatitis, hepatic decomposition begins after approximately 20-25 years. The exact timing of the development of the disease depends on the presence of unhealthy habits, immune status and the presence of other pathological processes in the body.

How is pathology transmitted?

With the development of hepatic cirrhosis pathology, hepatocytes undergo destructive changes and are transformed into fibrous tissue. Therapy for the disease is compensatory in nature, allowing for a short period of time to delay the onset of death. The pathology is incredibly dangerous, so many periodically have doubts about whether it is possible to become infected from a patient with cirrhosis of the liver, whether or not the disease is transmitted between people.

Doctors rush to reassure that cirrhosis itself is not dangerous for third parties in contact with the patient, and therefore it is impossible to catch the disease while caring for such a patient or living with him, as well as through saliva, any objects, blood or through the air.

Heredity

When determining the etiology of cirrhosis, specialists must take into account hereditary predisposition to this disease. Is liver cirrhosis inherited?

If among blood relatives there are patients with a similar disease, then there will always be a possibility of developing a liver disease based on the principle of genetic inheritance.

If the cause of heredity is genetic anomalies, then cirrhosis of the liver will not be contagious to others.

Diagnostic medicine today is so developed that the likelihood of such liver pathologies is identified even before the onset of the disease itself.

The following genetic pathologies can provoke the development of liver cirrhosis:

Fibrosis of the cystic type - the patient has a gene that provokes protein deformations, leading to dysfunction of the secreting glands and metabolic failures, as a result of which hepatocyte cells are destroyed;
Hemochromatosis - iron begins to accumulate in the liver cellular structures;
Wilson-Konovalov pathology - characterized by a violation of copper metabolism; copper accumulates in the liver cells, provoking severe liver intoxication;
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency - the pathology is a pulmonary lesion, in which concomitant destruction of the cells of the liver organ is possible.

These pathologies are of genetic origin, therefore it is impossible to become infected with liver cirrhosis that arises against them.

Hepatitis

The most common cause of hepatic cirrhosis is hepatitis of viral origin, more precisely, hepatitis type C. The virus of this pathology can be transmitted through blood transfusion, when visiting a dental or cosmetology office or a tattoo parlor through poorly processed instruments.

You can also catch HCV when injecting with an unsterilized needle or after unprotected sexual intercourse, as well as when sharing personal hygiene items, a razor or scissors, or a toothbrush.

Infection with viral hepatitis requires prolonged contact, so infection most often occurs through transfusion or intravenous injection. Hepatitis type B, which is transmitted between infected people in similar ways as hepatitis C, can also provoke fibrous degeneration of liver tissue.

The danger of hepatitis is that they can develop latently for quite a long time. Liver tissues do not have nerve endings, and therefore structural changes in them do not appear at first, but are detected only in the later stages of development.

With the development of destruction of the cellular structures of an organ against the background of viral hepatitis, one can become infected with this virus from an infected patient, and then the already developed hepatitis, in the absence of therapy, can provoke the development of cirrhosis.

Infections

No less dangerous in terms of complications in the form of cirrhosis can be infectious pathologies, including:

Brucellosis - infection occurs from a sick animal, after which the nervous system or cardiovascular structures, joint and bone tissues may be damaged;
Syphilis - refers to pathologies of sexually transmitted origin, in which damage to the nervous system fibers, intraorganic structures, bone and mucous tissues occurs;
Tuberculosis - affects the tissues of the intestinal and articular, bone and pulmonary systems, transmitted through airborne droplets.

When transmitting these pathologies, there is a real risk of developing cirrhosis if timely therapy is not started.

Cirrhosis is always associated with the gradual death of the cellular structures of an organ, leading to its reduction. Instead of full-fledged functional hepatocytes, abnormal cells appear, from which connective scar tissue is formed.

As it grows, compression of the vessels occurs, and then the death of individual parts of the organ. Such a liver will no longer be able to function normally, as a result of which the work of all intraorganic structures is disrupted, and the patient’s life is threatened.

According to statistics, approximately half of the cases of cirrhosis of the liver parenchyma occur against the background of untreated hepatitis. Further, cirrhosis develops in chronic alcohol-dependent patients. Depending on the nature of the course, the following cirrhosis is distinguished:

Biliary– diagnosed if tissue growths lead to disruption/cessation of bile outflow. A characteristic manifestation is considered to be enlargement of the organ, the presence of muscle and joint pain, gum bleeding, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Hyperthermia and pulmonary inflammation may be a concern;
Portal– Occurs when the hepatic blood supply is cut off due to growths. It manifests itself with signs of hepatitis, then complicated by constant insomnia, weakness and nervousness. After eating, pain appears in the liver area, veins swell in the abdomen, however, jaundice may be absent;
Post-necrotic– diagnosed if massively dying hepatocytes are replaced by scar structures. Accompanied by persistent jaundice, protruding veins on the abdominal wall, often starting from the navel, joint and muscle pain, and enlarged lymph nodes.

For all forms, a typical manifestation is skin itching and violent diarrhea after fatty foods, thinness appears, and lower limbs at the same time they swell. The skin begins to peel off greatly and acquires a bronze or deathly yellow tint.

If a patient suffers from hepatitis, then his spouse must be vaccinated against this virus. Unfortunately, vaccines are only available for hepatitis type B. For HCV, the vaccine is useless. This suggests a conclusion - it is impossible to become infected with cirrhosis of the liver, however, viral hepatitis is transmitted from other patients, which, under favorable conditions for the virus, can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, which can develop latently over a quarter of a century.

Liver cirrhosis is a very common disease. It may arise due to various reasons. Those who care for the patient are interested in how cirrhosis of the liver is transmitted and whether it is contagious.

It’s worth asking such questions to protect yourself from a terrible pathology. If you just say whether it is transmitted or not, then the answer is no, cirrhosis of the liver itself cannot be transmitted, but the infection that caused the disease can. Let's talk about this in more detail.

Is liver cirrhosis contagious?

In order for a person to begin to develop cirrhosis, which affects the liver, a pathogen is needed. What causes it to appear?

If the cause of the disease is an infection or different types of hepatitis, then they can be transmitted to another person. When a healthy person gets such infections, then there is a high probability that he will have cirrhosis of the liver.

It is important for the patient to identify the cause of the pathology in order to take precautions and not infect another person. If a sick person has hepatitis, then his life partner should be vaccinated against the virus. There is a vaccine only for hepatitis B; the vaccine does not affect hepatitis C.

For reference! Cirrhosis of the liver can develop for 25 years without making itself felt.

Considering this, if anyone is concerned about whether it is possible to become infected with hepatitis from a patient, which will provoke cirrhosis, the answer is unequivocal - yes.

How do you get hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B can enter the body in different ways, for example:

During unprotected sex,
In the dental office, through poorly designed instruments,
In tattoo parlors,
During a manicure or pedicure,
During childbirth from mother to baby,
Using other people's razors or personal care products
During a blood transfusion,
Through one needle that people used.

Hepatitis B is very resistant, so it can be killed using special technology. This virus can live for about a week in open air, even in dried blood or on clothing. For example, instruments need to be boiled for an hour or processed using dry heat sterilization.

Important! Ask the specialist who does your tattoo or manicure to process the devices in front of you.

However, hepatitis B is not transmitted through saliva or touch. In other words, infection can only be transmitted through blood.

If you drink alcohol during hepatitis, then there is a high probability that cirrhosis will begin to develop.

Hepatitis C

Compared to hepatitis B, hepatitis C is not persistent in the environment. The routes of infection for this virus are the same as for hepatitis B. Most often, it is acquired through blood transfusions and using personal hygiene instruments.

Hepatitis C has two stages - acute and chronic. If acute hepatitis is not treated for a long time, then it becomes chronic, as a result of which cirrhosis of the liver develops. This process can be accelerated by an unhealthy lifestyle and drinking alcohol.

Interesting! Hepatitis C is difficult to detect at an early stage, since it does not manifest itself in any way, while destroying the liver.

Hepatitis D and cytomegalovirus hepatitis

Basically, hepatitis D is always present in a body with hepatitis B. It can be contracted through unprotected sex.

Cytomegalovirus hepatitis occurs in people with weak immune systems. These include children, the elderly and HIV-infected people. This type of hepatitis is very dangerous, as it can be infected:

Airborne droplets
Acquired by inheritance from mother,
Through everyday objects
Sexually
Through saliva
Through blood.

Those who have good immunity are not afraid of this type of hepatitis. When there is chronic cytomegalovirus hepatitis in the body, then it will most likely provoke the appearance of liver cirrhosis.

Indoor pests

From this information it can be concluded that Liver cirrhosis itself cannot be transmitted to a healthy person. Only the reason can be transmitted, due to which cirrhosis occurred, most often it is different types hepatitis A.

In order not to infect a healthy person with hepatitis, the patient must:

Get your healthy spouse vaccinated against the virus.
Always use precautions when having sexual intercourse. It is advisable that the sick person does not have many sexual partners.
If family members are treating a patient's wound, they need to be very careful and use gloves.
Have your own personal hygiene products and do not allow others to use your brushes, razors and other personal items.
All family members should be tested to find out if they have hepatitis.

Do not start treating hepatitis, because it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, which cannot be cured. This pathology significantly shortens a person’s life and makes his life limited.

This may be useful to you:

Liver cirrhosis is a serious disease that affects different segments of the population and does not allow a person to live a full life. The gradual replacement of healthy tissue with fibrous tissue leads to impaired blood circulation, the development of concomitant pathologies (liver failure, hypotension), and loss of the ability to remove toxins from the body. This process is irreversible, over time the condition worsens, the patient is no longer able to care for himself and needs the help of relatives. Therefore, many people wonder whether it is possible to become infected with liver cirrhosis from a patient and in what way.

General information about cirrhosis

The liver consists of many cells - hepatocytes, which help the organ cleanse the blood of harmful substances. Under the influence of negative factors (medicines, alcohol, toxins, heavy metals in production), they die, and connective tissue forms in their place. This pathology is called cirrhosis. The disease constantly progresses, disrupting the outflow of bile and blood from the liver. This manifests itself in the body with a number of unpleasant symptoms:

The main causes of the development of the disease are disruption of metabolic processes in the body, as well as toxic poisoning. Cirrhosis often appears as a complication chronic hepatitis, or stagnation of bile (cholestasis). It is diagnosed already at the stage of active development, since in the first stages it practically does not manifest itself at all. It can be detected by blood tests and ultrasound examination.

How does pathology occur?

To answer the question of whether cirrhosis of the liver is transmitted or not, it is necessary to understand exactly how the disease begins to develop. Persistent organ damage is an irreversible process and leads to serious changes in the tissue structure. The occurrence of pathology is associated with the impact of negative factors on the organ, which may be a consequence of the treatment of another ailment or the patient’s lifestyle. Therefore, the disease is often classified according to its etiology:

How can you become infected with cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is a dangerous disease and when it is diagnosed in a family member, the question immediately arises of how it can be transmitted. The toxic, autoimmune, circulatory type appears as a result of internal organ damage, with which the patient is not dangerous to others. Therefore, when they ask a doctor whether cirrhosis of the liver is contagious, he will answer no. But this does not mean that a person cannot transmit an infection that will cause the development of organ pathology in the future. Several transmission routes are still identified.

From father to son

Parents pass on to their children not only facial features, hair and eye color, but also a set of possible diseases in the future. Hereditary predisposition is often the impetus for the development of pathology. Therefore, people whose loved ones suffered from such an illness should be more attentive to their health.

Liver cirrhosis is not transmitted from mother to child, but it can cause genetic abnormalities:

Hemochromatosis.
Wilson-Konovalov disease.
α1-atitrypsin deficiency.
Cystic fibrosis.

The disease may not manifest itself in any way in the first stages. Therefore, if your closest relatives have been diagnosed with it, it is worth undergoing regular medical examinations to check whether cirrhosis was inherited from your mother or father.

The disease itself is not transmitted to another person through saliva, blood or household items. But depending on the cause of the development of the pathology, the patient may in some cases pose a danger and therefore the question of whether cirrhosis of the liver is contagious or not is very relevant in this case. In particular, if the destruction of hepatocytes began due to helminths entering the body.

Advice! Do not share utensils, do not drink from the same bottle, and perform all necessary hygiene procedures after contact with sick people. Giardia, for example, is transmitted through dirty hands.

Infections and bacteria

How is cirrhosis of the liver of an infectious type transmitted: a relative or friend does not follow simple rules of hygiene, a virus or pathogenic microorganisms enter his body, causing the disease that led to cirrhosis.

Let's consider the main routes of infection, and what loved ones should be wary of:

Based on this, it becomes clear that whether cirrhosis of the liver is contagious to others largely depends on the cause of its occurrence.

It is important to know! If it appears from constant drinking, then the patient will not pose a danger to his environment. But if the cause is a virus, then there is a risk of contracting it sexually or through blood.

The droplet method is excluded, since hepatitis is not transmitted through the air. Therefore, you should follow basic personal safety rules.

Prevention of pathology

Liver cirrhosis develops as a result of exposure to negative factors on the organ. Therefore, in order to prevent its formation, it is necessary to exclude them from your life as much as possible. The main causes of cirrhosis are:

Liver cirrhosis is not sexually transmitted, but the disease can appear as a result of complications of hepatitis, the virus of which easily penetrates the body through unprotected contact. Therefore, the main preventive measures that will help prevent the development of pathology are:

Refusal to drink alcohol.
Regular visits to doctors and tests.
Comprehensive treatment of viruses and infections in the early stages.
Use only sterile medical instruments.
Maintaining personal hygiene rules.
Strengthening the body and supporting the immune system.

Most importantly, it is necessary to exclude routes of infection with hepatitis, which most often cause the development of cirrhosis. The virus is resistant to many disinfectants, so even thorough cleaning of the patient’s dishes does not protect the patient. An excellent preventive measure is vaccination against hepatitis B, which is done according to the national calendar.

Liver cirrhosis is not a contagious disease, but this does not mean that people with it are not dangerous to their environment. If the pathology has developed as a result of helminthic infestation or hepatitis, then the person needs to take care of high-quality prevention to prevent infection with diseases that provoke the appearance of a severe degenerative process.

A normally functioning liver is the key to the health of other organs and a person’s good mood. However, according to WHO statistics, about a third of the adult population of the planet has liver diseases, among which hepatitis of various forms is the leader.

Types of hepatitis

Chronic or acute liver diseases in which inflammation of the organ occurs are called hepatitis. There are many reasons for the development of pathology, and they all depend on the type of disease:

Viral hepatitis. The causative agent of the disease is infection. Hepatotropic viruses are divided into groups - A, B, C, D, E and others. Experts believe that at the moment not all types of the disease have been identified, so there is a possibility that there are much more of them.
Non-viral hepatitis. Not only pathogenic microorganisms can stimulate the development of the disease. Various intoxications can contribute to this. How is this type of hepatitis transmitted? This can happen due to frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages, work in hazardous industries, systematic intake of certain medicines and other ways.

How can you get hepatitis?

There are many factors that can lead to infection, but often the development of pathology occurs due to the penetration of harmful bacteria into the human body and, as a rule, these are viruses of groups A, B, C, D, E. It is important that none of them can infect person by air. Be sure to understand how forms of hepatitis are transmitted.

Hepatitis A - transmission routes

Infection occurs through the oral-fecal route: the infection passes from the external environment to the hands and enters the human gastrointestinal tract. Since pathogenic bacteria have an acid-resistant shell, once inside with dirty water/food, they pass through the gastric barrier. Microorganisms can live in a liquid environment for a long time, so infection often occurs through water and is transmitted by droplets.

When the infection enters the blood, it spreads to other organs, while actively multiplying in the liver. Bacteria enter the intestines and are removed from the body in a natural way thanks to the work of the liver. More often, this disease is diagnosed in hot and undeveloped countries where sanitary and hygienic standards are poorly observed. As a rule, the patient recovers, and his body acquires lifelong immunity to this virus.

Routes of transmission of hepatitis B

This form of the disease is no more common than type A, but is more serious. How can you become infected with hepatitis B? This happens in two ways - through direct contact with a sick person or through household items that contain the biological fluid of an infected person (sweat, saliva, semen, blood). How else is hepatitis B transmitted? A person can get sick using unsterile medical instruments, so this pathology is often found in drug addicts.

Cases of infection of people undergoing treatment in medical institutions have been recorded. There is a risk of getting sick when receiving blood transfusions and dental treatment. Doctors can also infect people when using poorly processed instruments and devices. Is hepatitis transmitted sexually? Type B disease can be contracted through unprotected sex because harmful bacteria are present in both semen and vaginal discharge. In addition, they can easily become infected through personal hygiene items - razors, combs, manicure accessories.

Form B infection can be transmitted to a healthy person from a sick person through a kiss, since pathogenic microorganisms live in saliva. However, the likelihood of such infection is not high. The risk increases if there is any damage to the oral mucosa (scratches, wounds, cracks). Infection is also possible during childbirth - this is called vertical transmission. If the mother is sick, the child is likely to become infected when passing through the birth canal.

How do you get hepatitis C?

This type of virus is the most dangerous; its severity is compared to HIV. At the same time, there are much more cases of infection with form C than with the latter. How can you become infected with hepatitis C? The methods are similar to group B disease. The carrier of the infection is an infected person, but it is transmitted mainly through blood or through the use of common hygiene items.

Is hepatitis C transmitted through kissing? Such cases have been recorded, but there are not many of them. Is hepatitis C transmitted through saliva? Since the virus is contained in all biological fluids of the human body, infection in this way can occur, but the likelihood of this is low. Often people become ill with this pathology by having unprotected sex life with different partners. You can avoid the disease by using condoms.

Methods of infection with hepatitis D and E

These are relatively new types of hepatotropic disease, so they have not yet been fully studied. Virus D is diagnosed extremely rarely. The problem is found only in people who are sick with type B pathology. How is hepatitis D transmitted? The infection enters the body in the same way as virus B - parenterally (not through the gastrointestinal tract). You can become infected during sexual intercourse or a kiss. No vaccine has yet been invented to treat this disease.

Hepatitis E infection occurs in the same way as type A infection. The symptoms and course of both diseases are similar. Pathogenic bacteria entering the body cause an acute infectious disease. After a certain time (maximum - after a week and a half), the symptoms of the pathology go away on their own and do not require any therapeutic measures. There is no vaccine yet for this disease.

Incubation period of hepatitis

Each form of disease has a different development period in the human body. How long does it last incubation period:

Form A develops over 7-50 days, after which symptoms begin to appear - fever, headache, chills. Less often, rashes appear on the body, the patient feels weakness and pain in the joints.
Type B may not manifest itself for up to 180 days. In children, the disease can be asymptomatic; in adults, the symptoms are similar to type A.
Form C develops over 2-26 weeks. Often, people are diagnosed as passive carriers of the virus, in which the infection lives inside and acts on the liver without causing any symptoms.
Type D develops from one and a half to six months. As a rule, a person becomes infected with two types of virus at the same time - B and D, since the latter cannot exist on its own. The combination of both forms of the disease leads to cirrhosis of the liver.
Form E has an incubation period of 14-50 days and symptoms reminiscent of type A.

Video: ways of infection with hepatitis C

Any disease can await us at a certain stage of life. Sometimes many of us just live, go to work, go about our daily activities and don’t even know that we have this or that disease.

Cirrhosis

Today the article will cover the topic of liver cirrhosis. This disease is very dangerous and needs prompt treatment. Inattention to your health and ignoring this kind of disease can lead to death.

First, let's look at what kind of illness this is, what symptoms it has, and what to do if you find similar signs in yourself.

So, cirrhosis of the liver involves damage to the structure and functions of this organ. If this is not prevented in a timely manner, the liver may die completely. Accordingly, human life will be at risk. As we know, the liver plays the role of a kind of filter. In addition, it synthesizes substances necessary for the functioning of the body. Therefore, it is necessary to listen extremely carefully to how you are feeling, especially when the body signals some kind of malfunction in its functioning.

Hepatitis

First you need to understand what causes cirrhosis of the liver. First, one of the most common causes is viral hepatitis. It is he who can lead to illness, and subsequently become the culprit of death. Therefore, it is important for people suffering from a disease such as chronic hepatitis to regularly visit a doctor to examine the condition of the liver. Constant monitoring will help to identify pathological conditions in time, and will also make it possible to carry out timely and effective treatment.

Alcohol consumption

What causes liver cirrhosis? Of course, this can be the result of prolonged drinking. What is important is not the fact of whether a person is dependent on alcohol, but the duration of its use. As we all know, alcohol basically destroys both brain activity and nervous system body.

But the most dangerous disease that awaits a person who regularly drinks alcohol is cirrhosis of the liver. Alcohol contains extremely toxic ethyl alcohol. And the higher its concentration in the body, the greater the likelihood that a person will develop serious liver problems.

Immune system disorders

What else causes cirrhosis of the liver? Cirrhosis is often caused by a weak immune system. Disruption of its operation can also lead to this unpleasant disease. People, especially those who belong to the risk group (elderly, often ill, people weakened as a result of a low standard of living), need to carefully monitor their health and try to avoid problems with immune system. If you suspect a problem, you should immediately go to the doctor. Sometimes even the flu or any acute respiratory disease can lead to dire consequences. And health, as you know, is no joke.

Exposure to harmful substances

Liver cirrhosis can also be caused by chemical poisoning. Those whose work involves constant interaction with toxic substances should be especially careful. People involved in construction, woodworking, heavy metallurgy and similar fields constantly deal with harmful compounds, which negatively affects their health. Therefore, it is important for those who belong to these categories of citizens to treat the problem of monitoring liver condition extremely responsibly. To do this, you need to regularly visit your doctor.

Taking a specific group of medications

By the way, long-term use of medications can also lead to this disease. Therefore, always consult your doctor before using any medicine.

So, basically, we have looked at the main causes of liver cirrhosis. Let's make a small initial summary. Now you know what causes liver cirrhosis. The main causes of this disease can be long-term use of certain medications, chronic hepatitis, alcohol abuse, ingestion of harmful substances into the body, and disruptions in the immune system.

It is worth understanding that there are also forty percent of people suffering from liver-related diseases, the causes of which are almost impossible to establish. Therefore, a person who leads an absolutely healthy lifestyle, does not abuse alcohol and does not have significant health problems may be at risk.

Primary biliary. Signs

Now let's talk about a disease such as primary biliary cirrhosis. This disease is an ailment in which the immune system itself destroys the body's cells in the process of fighting the disease. All this naturally leads to liver disease, its structure changes, and the organ gradually atrophies.

A very scary fact, but, according to statistics, primary biliary cirrhosis of the liver, as a rule, does not manifest itself for a long time. However, based on some signs, a person may still suspect that he has this disease. Firstly, the patient will be constantly haunted by itching. This happens closer to night, after taking a bath the feeling will only intensify. Also, a warning sign that should force a person to pay attention to his health will be absent-mindedness. It manifests itself in rapid fatigue, and depression may develop. If you notice a sharp weight loss, this is a reason to think about the cause of this condition. This symptom may be a prerequisite for this disease.

If bruises appear on the body, and they are not the result of recent falls or bruises, you should also be vigilant. This may be a symptom of the above disease.

Genetics plays a big role. Children whose parents had this disease are at risk of inheriting it. They are also more likely to become victims of this type of cirrhosis.

Alcoholic liver. What is she like?

As we said earlier, cirrhosis can be caused by alcohol consumption. Let's see what happens to the liver of a person who drinks alcohol for a long time. Naturally, alcohol affects many parts of the brain and, in general, has an extremely negative effect on the body, but the most colossal and negative effect occurs on the liver. So, what happens to an alcoholic's liver?

At first it may simply increase in size, but this is not the worst thing that can happen. To normalize its size, it will be enough to simply avoid getting alcohol into the blood in the future. Also, people who abuse alcoholic beverages are at risk of a disease such as alcoholic hepatitis. With this disease, a person experiences malaise and sharp pain in the right side. But the harmful effects of alcohol do not end there. If you completely stop using alcohol-containing substances, the chance of recovery is very high.

The extreme degree of damage to the body by alcohol is cirrhosis itself. The liver cells of an alcoholic under the influence of ethyl alcohol are depleted, change, and subsequently die. It is very difficult to live with such a disease; most patients, if they continue to abuse alcohol, die.

Signs of alcoholic cirrhosis

Let's look together at what are the symptoms of alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver?

Firstly, the patient should be concerned about the hypochondrium. This does not have to be a sharp or aching pain; at first it may even be just minor discomfort.

In addition, he will be overcome constant weakness, apathy, lack of desire to do anything, the general state will be very depressed and unpleasant.

A very indicative symptom of alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver is belching. It leaves a very unpleasant bitter taste in your mouth. This symptom should be treated with great concern.

Also, the urine most likely changes its normal color. It will become darker. A change in the color of the cornea is also indicative. In people suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, the eyes will have a jaundiced tint.

Body temperature may be constantly elevated during illness. Moreover, it is far from certain that the temperature will be too high. At first it will not rise above 37 degrees. Often, after eating, a person with alcoholic cirrhosis begins to feel sick; the body has difficulty digesting and allowing food into the body. All of the above symptoms indicate the presence of this terrible disease. If you find them in yourself, immediately go to the hospital and get the appropriate tests.

Illness in men

A very important fact is that liver cirrhosis in men is expressed somewhat differently than in women. As a rule, in males the disease is more pronounced and intense. Let's take a closer look at this issue. It is worth noting that men are more predisposed to this disease. Many will probably be interested in why.

The answer is extremely simple. It is men who, as a rule, work in factories and are exposed to toxic substances much more often than women. As we know, they also abuse alcohol. Therefore, their likelihood of this disease is much higher than that of the fair half of humanity.

Illness in women

Liver cirrhosis in women also has a number of features. In women, this disease does not manifest itself as clearly as in men. Therefore, often even an experienced doctor may not attach importance to any obvious symptom and make a completely different diagnosis. In this sense, diagnosing cirrhosis in women is much more difficult and confusing. Women are very often susceptible to this disease due to genetic predisposition. If a girl constantly takes a variety of hormonal drugs and pills to keep her figure in good shape, she also risks falling into the risk group.

Many people ask the question: “What kind of liver is there in cirrhosis?” An organ with such a disease can be either enlarged or reduced in size. The liver becomes denser to the touch, and all sorts of irregularities may appear on it. But the worst thing about this disease is that it stops performing its basic functions.

If you or your close person been exposed to such a disease, how can you understand it? What should it be appearance patient with liver cirrhosis? Of course, first of all, the patient should be dissatisfied with his condition; he will experience a slight increase in body temperature. Externally, this disease also manifests itself quite clearly. True, external symptoms appear already at the stage when irreversible processes have begun in the body. First of all, you should pay attention to the condition of the skin. It will become drier and acquire a yellowish tint. The stomach increases in size, the membranes of the eyes turn yellow, and facial features become more pointed.

Conclusion

So, in this article we looked at the symptoms of this disease, analyzed the course of the disease and the difference in the manifestations of symptoms in men and women, and also figured out how to prevent the occurrence of liver cirrhosis.

A progressive liver disease in which the normal structure of the organ is restructured is called cirrhosis. As the disease develops, the functions of the largest gland in the body, which acts as a filter, are disrupted. 300 thousand people on the planet die from liver pathology every year.

What is liver cirrhosis

Contrary to the general belief that cirrhosis affects only alcoholics, statistics prove that this disease is the final stage all liver diseases. Sometimes the pathology becomes an independent chronic condition in which the immune system attacks its bile ducts. What is cirrhosis of the liver? Under the influence of various damaging factors, liver cells die, and the normal tissue of the organ changes to fibrous. With the restructuring of the entire structure of the liver comes a disruption of its functions, which eventually leads to death.

Classification

The rate of development of the disease is not the same. Depending on the classification of the pathology, the structure of the organ lobules can be destroyed early or at late stage. Types of liver cirrhosis by etiological factors:

Stages

Pathogenesis always occurs slowly, but according to the same mechanism, regardless of etiology. There are three stages of liver cirrhosis:

Compensation (latent or precirrhotic), not accompanied by any biochemical disorders. Healthy cells work at an increased rate. It is still possible to stop the progression of the disease.
Subcompensation, which is accompanied by clinical manifestations (decreased appetite, weakness, severe weight loss, pain under the right rib). The organ is working at half capacity, and the resources of healthy cells are running out.
Decompensation when liver failure develops (jaundice, coma). Portal hypertension syndrome appears. This stage causes disability and can lead to death from liver cirrhosis, and therefore requires urgent treatment under the supervision of doctors.

Liver cirrhosis - causes

The occurrence of liver pathology after chronic hepatitis accounts for 70% of cases. Hepatitis C is considered more dangerous because it is unpredictable and insidious - it has hidden symptoms, and is diagnosed only after laboratory research. If the body is exposed to toxic substances for a long time or medications(antiviral, antibacterial), then this provokes the development of the disease.

IN Lately often began to define diffuse change organ against the background of fatty degeneration in patients with diabetes mellitus or obesity. Heart failure is accompanied by venous stagnation of the liver, also provoking its cirrhotic degeneration. Other causes of the disease:

portal vein thrombosis;
violation of fat metabolism;
diseases of the biliary system;
alcohol addiction.

Symptoms

Degree clinical manifestations depends on the severity of the pathology and the presence chronic diseases at the patient. The signs of liver cirrhosis are varied, but the disease progresses slowly, characterized by sluggish progression. A person usually asks for medical care already at the second stage, when complications appear. Main symptoms of cirrhosis:

pain under the right rib, intensifying during physical activity or eating;
vomiting, dryness and bitterness in the mouth;
skin itching;
irritability, fatigue;
loose, frequent stools;
weight loss, exhaustion;
bloating.

In men

According to statistics, the male population suffers from liver pathologies much more often than the female population. This is due to the fact that they work more in hazardous industries, come into contact with poisons, are inattentive to their health and rarely seek medical help. How does liver cirrhosis manifest in men? The endurance of their body allows them to resist the pathological process for a long time, so it is very difficult to detect the disease at an early stage. Pathology is recognized, as a rule, already at a severe stage by the following signs:

need for longer rest, fatigue, constant fatigue;
insomnia, drowsiness or a combination thereof, sudden mood swings, depression, irritability;
weight loss with a unchanged diet;
violation of potency;
constant discomfort in the right side.

Among women

Although the ratio of patients with hepatic necrosis connective tissue men and women 1:3, this does not mean that the disease in the weaker half of humanity proceeds differently. Both adults and children get sick and die from this pathology. The initial degree of organ damage occurs with the same clinical symptoms, as well as men. Further signs of liver cirrhosis in women when the disease begins to progress:

loss of skin elasticity;
diarrhea gives way to constipation;
flatulence and regular belching;
lower back pain;
menstrual irregularities;
heaviness in the stomach;
copper taste in mouth;
loss of performance.

Biliary cirrhosis

This is a special form of the disease that develops as a result of prolonged cholestasis or damage to the biliary tract. Biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune pathology that lasts for a long time without any symptoms. It affects mainly women 40-60 years old. The primary degree of the disease is often combined with diabetes mellitus, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis and drug allergies.

Portal

The most common form of the disease, which is characterized by damage to liver tissue and death of hepatocytes. Changes occur due to poor nutrition and abuse alcoholic drinks. In 20%, portal cirrhosis can cause Botkin's disease. First, the patient complains of disturbances from digestive tract. Then develop external signs diseases: yellowing of the skin, appearance of spider veins on the face. The last stage is characterized by the development of ascites (abdominal dropsy).

Diagnostics

To recognize the disease, you need to see a doctor, who will start with a questioning and finding out the history of the disease. The patient experiences dull pain under the right rib, mild nausea, weakness, and a rise in temperature to 37 ⁰C. At the second stage, the pain becomes prolonged, vomiting and skin itching appear. The last degree of damage to liver cells is characterized by severe weight loss, esophageal bleeding, and disturbances of consciousness.

During palpation, the doctor determines compaction and enlargement of the liver. Ultrasound helps to check the condition of the organ, which shows its heterogeneous structure and tuberosity. The most revealing is a biochemical blood test. With its help, the diagnosis is confirmed and the degree of compensation is established. Urine, stool, and blood tests for bilirubin are also taken. The pathology is confirmed by differential and laparoscopic diagnosis.

Liver cirrhosis - treatment

After determining the degree of scar damage to the organ and the presence of complications, the doctor decides how to treat cirrhosis of the liver. Therapy is carried out comprehensively and over a long period of time. First, the cause of the disease is eliminated. Then the patient is prescribed a diet in which toxins and alcohol are completely removed from the diet. Medicines, which help to completely get rid of scar lesions do not exist. Sometimes doctors resort to surgery when deciding on an organ transplant.

Medication

At the first stage of the disease, doctors prescribe medications for liver cirrhosis, aimed at improving metabolism in cells and cleansing the organ of toxins. These include Karsil, Legalon, Essentiale, Lipamide, folic and ascorbic acid, B vitamins. In the decompensated form of the disease with ascites, intravenous and oral administration of two drugs is prescribed: lipoic acid and Essentiale.

If the disease is of viral origin, then long-term therapy with Prednisolone (up to 3 years) is required. Treatment of the alcoholic form of the disease requires taking vitamins B6, B12, A, E, zinc, folic acid, hepatoprotectors of plant origin (milk thistle). At the final stage of the disease with complicated ascites, the cells are no longer susceptible to the effects of drugs, so therapy is aimed at alleviating the patient’s condition. Diuretics are prescribed to remove fluid, and lactose is prescribed to remove toxins.

Folk remedies

Application folk recipes does not mean that you need to give up medications. For traditional treatment use a decoction of oats and corn silks, which should be taken half a glass up to 5 times a day. You need to drink the drink for a long time, at least 4 months, because folk remedies can only work if used regularly.

Diet

The peculiarity of a balanced diet is that patients need to take food enriched with protein (dairy products, cottage cheese, lean fish, veal, buckwheat, oatmeal). It stimulates cell regeneration and improves immunity. You should forget about salt, fried and spicy foods, canned food, marinades. The main diet for liver cirrhosis is table No. 5.

How long do people live with cirrhosis of the liver?

The consequences of the disease are dire, but the prognosis is not always disappointing. Life expectancy depends on many factors. If the disease was detected at an early stage, the process can be stopped. About 50% of all patients survive if there are no complications, and patients strictly adhere to all doctor’s recommendations. With esophageal bleeding, the mortality rate is 40%. If the disease is complicated by ascites, then 25% live a maximum of 3 years.