Hepatitis A (Botkin's disease) is called a viral liver disease that occurs as a result of violations of rules of personal hygiene, the use of virus-infected food or water. This infection refers to the category of "disease of dirty hands". Most common in tropical countries.
Botkin's disease is widespread in Asia and Africa, including the traditional tourist countries - Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, India. Most often affects children up to 5-6 years, many suffer a mild form of hepatitis.
Outbreaks are frequent in children's groups, after the disease is lifelong immunity.
Causes
An infectious disease caused by a virus that is transmitted through water, food and dirty hands.
When the virus is in the intestine, they are absorbed and enter the blood through the liver. The development of infection in the liver cells, damaging them and causing the main symptoms of the disease. Inflammation is an immune mechanism body recognizes damaged cells and destroys them.
Who is at risk
High risk of contracting the disease Botkin at:
- close contact with patients, violation of rules of hygiene;
- kissing, sexual intercourse;
- when you are abroad in a country with a high level of morbidity;
- drug use.
How do you know about infection
For suspected infectious disease or in determining the presence of immunity to investigate the blood detection of antibodies to anti-HAV IgG.
If they are in the blood, it is said that contact with the virus have been (as a result of vaccination or disease). In this case, it is impossible to re-infection, the vaccination is not necessary to carry out.
If no antibodies - therefore immune to an infectious disease and is not necessary to carry out a planned or an emergency vaccination, immunoglobulin administration (he can prevent infection or to stop for two weeks infection).
Examination is required for all members of the family of the sick person and the contact person, if it is a child.
Symptoms of the disease Botkin
Infectious disease occurs phasically incubation period after infection lasts 15 to 50 days.
As he enters the stage of completion of the prodromal phenomena (ie. e. common symptoms) - having symptoms of intoxication of the organism:
- fever;
- nausea and vomiting;
- eating disorders;
- heaviness in the stomach;
- pain in the right side;
- weakness, sleep disturbances.
The step height of infective hepatitis appear:
- foamy and dark urine;
- jaundice, Which manifests itself on the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes;
- discoloration of the stool.
Against the background of general jaundice patient feel better. Yellowness lasts about a month, gradually decreasing in intensity.
Depending on the age and immune status of the illness lasts from 30 to 40 days, in debilitated patients, it can become chronic, lasting up to six months.
Most cases of infectious disease leads to complete recovery, without forming any consequences.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is infectious disease physician.
For diagnosis it is important to specify a contact with a carrier of the disease Botkin or stay in the country, hazardous contamination. Requires a detailed examination of the definition of the liver and spleen size, a series of tests.
needed:
- general analysis of blood and urine;
- a blood test for bilirubin and liver enzymes (liver function test);
- blood chemistry;
- blood for antibodies to hepatitis;
- blood clotting.
Criterion acute forms of infective hepatitis - detection of M class of antibodies in the blood, in chronic or immunity appear antibody class G.
Botkin's disease treatment
Due to the active work of the immune system against viruses recovery occurs even without treatment. The use of therapies aimed at alleviating the condition of intoxication and withdrawal symptoms.
Held:
- in the acute period of "hepatic" diet (Table № 5);
- creating rest patient isolation;
- Removing intoxication by introducing solutions of glucose and sodium chloride;
- vitamins administering to maintain immunity and liver function;
- administration of drugs, protect hepatic cells against damage.
The diet of the table number 5 includes boiled or stewed dishes vegetarian table, milk, cereal dishes, lean meat. Banned fatty, fried, spicy food, spices and excess salt. It is important to eat often, at least five times, in small portions.
Learn more about nutrition in disease Botkin is written in our a separate article.
Antiviral therapy is not carried out, as it has no efficacy. In identifying antibodies in the blood in their contact persons in order to prevent infection antihepatitis administered immunoglobulin.
complications
Heavy flows infectious disease in children aged under one year and in the elderly. In adults, hepatitis A is accompanied by severe intoxication.
There may be cases anicteric lung disease course, such a person is a source of infection, especially dangerous for children.
When defects in the immune system or an early age up to six months occurs during severe infective hepatitis with liver lesion development until death.
Hepatitis A in many forms similar to other hepatitis, so any cases of jaundice requires examination.
prevention
Botkin's disease prevention is vaccination. To date, it is not included in the calendar of compulsory vaccination, but it is strongly recommended that children attending kindergartens, persons traveling on vacation and people who have a high risk of exposure.
The vaccine was administered twice, with an interval of 6 months, with full immunity is formed by up to 10 years. Vaccination is carried out for children from three years old to adults without a history of hepatitis A and people at risk.