Hepatitis B treatment at home

This disease is caused by a virus from the family of hepadnaviruses, which affects mainly the human liver. We'll talk about the symptoms and treatment of hepatitis b in this article.

Features of the hepatitis B virus

This virus is highly resistant to various effects, namely:

• stored for 3 months at room temperature;
• remains frozen for up to 20 years;
• transfers the boiling for 1 hour, and chlorination - 2 hours.

Disinfect the virus in 2 minutes with 80% alcohol.

How is hepatitis B infected?

In carriers and patients with hepatitis B, the virus is contained in the blood (the highest concentration) and other biological fluids: saliva, sperm, vaginal discharge, sweat, urine, etc. The main ways of transmission of the virus are as follows:

• the sexual way;
• household way (using common toothbrushes, towels, etc.);
• sharing syringes;
• blood transfusion;
• through medical instruments, manicure instruments, razors;
• through the birth canal during childbirth, etc.

Through a handshake, with embraces, sneezing, coughing, you can not get hepatitis B.

Forms of the disease

There are two forms of hepatitis B:

1. Acute - can rapidly develop immediately after infection, often has a marked symptomatology. About 90% of adults with acute hepatitis B recover after 2 months. In other cases, the disease becomes chronic.
2. Chronic - can also occur in the absence of an acute phase. This form proceeds cyclically with the phases of exacerbation and fading, and the symptoms may be unexpressed or absent for a long time. When the disease progresses, complications often occur ( cirrhosis , hepatic insufficiency, cancer).

Symptoms of hepatitis B:

• increased fatigue;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• increased body temperature;
• headache, muscle pain;
• runny nose, cough, sore throat.

The incubation period (asymptomatic) is from 30 to 180 days. The disease can occur with icteric period, during which there is darkening of the urine, yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes and sclera of the eyes.

Treatment of acute hepatitis B

As a rule, the acute form of hepatitis B does not need antiviral treatment, but passes on its own in 6 to 8 weeks. Only maintenance therapy (symptomatic) is prescribed, which usually consists of the use of medications (intravenously), which help to remove toxins from the body. Also appointed hepatoprotectors, vitamins, a special diet is recommended.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B

Treatment of chronic hepatitis of the liver is carried out during the replication of the virus, which can be determined by conducting a special analysis. Medicines for the treatment of hepatitis B are antiviral drugs that suppress the reproduction of the virus, stimulate the protective forces of organisms and prevent the occurrence of complications. In general, alpha interferon and lamivudine are used. It should be noted that even new drugs used in the treatment of hepatitis B do not cure the disease completely, but significantly reduce the negative impact of the infection.

As a rule, the disease is treated at home provided a regular visit to the doctor. It is important to adhere to such rules:

1. Use of a large amount of liquid to eliminate toxins and prevent dehydration.
2. Compliance with diet, refusal of alcohol.
3. Restriction of physical activity.
4. Avoiding activities that contribute to the spread of infection.
5. Urgent treatment to the doctor if new symptoms or worsening of the condition occur.