Signs of hepatitis C in men

Hepatitis C is one of the viral variants of the disease. To conduct statistics on this virus began not so long ago, however, experts have already noted the increase in the number of cases. The main difficulty in identifying the infection is the non-obviousness of the symptoms, which are often written off for poisoning or simply fatigue. It is worth knowing about the possible signs of hepatitis C in men, if there is a suspicion that the infection has occurred.

Than a disease

Hepatitis C is a viral infection transmitted through the blood. In other biological fluids, its content is not large enough for infection. Therefore, it is possible to become infected with various cosmetic and medical procedures, at risk includes people who use drugs, who practice unprotected sex, and workers in medical institutions.

There is no vaccination against hepatitis C, so the probability of infection depends on the person's caution. The incubation period of the disease - from several weeks to six months, the rate of development of the virus depends on the state of human immunity. The weaker the resistance of the body, the sooner the disease will come.

If the disease does not start on time, it can trigger the development of liver cirrhosis - a very life-threatening and health-threatening condition. Treatment of hepatitis C should be strictly controlled by a doctor - a hepatologist, otherwise it will be unsuccessful and may even harm the patient.

Important! Contrary to popular belief, Group C hepatitis is not transmitted in everyday life.

Symptoms of chronic hepatitis

Hepatitis C and other varieties of this disease often do not manifest themselves externally at the very beginning of the disease, signs at the initial stage, with acute form practically absent. Their manifestations depend on the level of immunity. The lower the immunity, the less noticeable the manifestations of the disease.

In rare cases, the body is able to overcome the virus at the acute stage of the disease, after which it leaves, but these cases are too rare to hope for such an outcome. More often the disease turns into a chronic form, which a person can not suspect for years, decades, before it is found.

Usually a person with hepatitis C can notice the following symptoms, which are often written off for food poisoning and malaise:

• sensation of heaviness, pain in the right upper quadrant, accompanied by nausea;
• permanent weakness, fatigue sensation for no apparent reason;
• sometimes cause pain, joint aches.

At the acute stage, these symptoms will be quite strong. Closer to the occurrence of cirrhosis may appear jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes. This symptom must be alerted, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Other external signs include a change in the color of urine and feces. Urine with different types of hepatitis can become darker, feces - lighter. In this case, there are symptoms of eating disorders, there may be a heaviness in the abdomen and increased gas production.

Against the background of hepatitis, bacterial infections can occur, the most common are various infections of the respiratory tract, urogenital system, peritonitis. Their occurrence can significantly worsen the course of the disease itself.

In any case, if there is a permanent discomfort from the gastrointestinal tract, you should see a doctor and undergo a full examination. Similar symptoms can talk about other, no less serious diseases, in addition to hepatitis C.

Important! It is impossible to deliver a correct diagnosis without a complete examination. Sometimes tests for hepatitis should be retested several times, if there is the slightest chance of a false result.

Signs of alcoholic hepatitis in men

Alcoholic hepatitis is similar to the current of this group C disease. However, the alcoholic form is not transmitted by the virus, alcoholic hepatitis is a condition that develops as a result of long alcohol abuse at large dosages.

Symptoms of this form of the disease can be expressed more prominently in the acute progressive stage. It is not so common, but it is the most dangerous, because it leads very quickly to cirrhosis of the liver and, often, to death.

The main symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis are acute signs of intoxication, the appearance of jaundice that develop against the background of alcohol dependence. Dependence on alcoholic beverages is also one of the aspects of establishing the correct diagnosis, otherwise they are looking for another cause of degenerative changes in the liver.

It should be noted that alcohol is also becoming the most dangerous for group C hepatitis, immediately after the disease is detected, it is necessary to switch to a therapeutic diet and refrain from alcoholic beverages. Otherwise, the risk of developing cirrhosis and other complications increases significantly.

What tests should I take?

The correct diagnosis can be made only after a complete diagnosis. The main analysis, necessarily required for signs of hepatitis, is an enzyme immunoassay. It allows you to identify the virus itself and the extent of infection, is a person solely a carrier of the virus or is sick himself. This analysis does not apply to cheap, but it is extremely important in the detection of liver disease.

PCR analysis may also be required, this kind of diagnosis allows to identify the virus and its quantity in the body in the literal sense. The level of viral load allows you to predict the outcome of the disease in each individual case.

In addition to ELISA and PCR, ultrasound of the liver and other studies that can help determine the extent of the damage caused to the human body by the virus and its complications can be prescribed.

Treatment of

Treatment of hepatitis C should be under the full control of a doctor - a hepatologist, self-medication with this disease can lead to fatal consequences for the body and even to death.

Antiviral drugs are used for treatment, usually based on alpha interferon and ribavirin, various drugs - hepatoprotectors, which help restore liver function. When a bacterial infection occurs, antibacterial drugs may be prescribed.

Also during therapy it is important to follow a diet with a limited amount of fat in order to relieve excessive load from the liver. With all the recommendations for treatment, the prognosis is favorable, at the moment it is completely recovered from 60 to 90 percent of all patients with hepatitis C.