One of the least dangerous and favorable for prognosis types of hepatitis is type A or Botkin's disease. Despite the fact that the disease is quite hard for the patient, it usually does not cause negative consequences for the liver and favorably ends with complete recovery of the person with the development of lifelong immunity.
How is jaundice or Botkin's disease transmitted?
The ailment considered has a viral infectious nature and is transferred by a fecal-oral, domestic route. This means that a hepatitis carrier who does not follow the rules of personal hygiene, for example, does not wash his hands after going to the toilet, is potentially dangerous. With the joint use of utensils, cosmetic products with such a person, the risk of contracting is very high. In addition, jaundice is transmitted with food and water.
It should be noted that direct contact with the carrier of hepatitis A is not necessary.
Symptoms of Botkin's Disease
The incubation period proceeds without any clinical manifestations, this time is from 2 weeks to 50 days.
After this interval, the first signs of Botkin's disease appear:
- heat;
- palpable weakness, persistent drowsiness and fatigue;
- heaviness in the liver region;
- pain in the upper epigastric region;
- nausea, vomiting ;
- subsequent decrease in body temperature to subfebrile values;
- lack of appetite, anorexia;
- enlargement of the liver in size;
- darkening of urine;
- the acquisition of a very light color, up to white;
- discomfort during flexion and extension of joints;
- yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, as well as the palate.
It should be noted that the peak of the disease occurs very quickly and after complete yellowing of the skin and sclera, the person begins to feel much better, the liver decreases in volume. Moreover, at this point the patient is no longer infectious.
Infectious hepatitis or Botkin's disease - treatment
In fact, the human body is cured independently and in some cases, jaundice is transferred "on legs" without special therapy.
In order to speed up the healing process, the patient is ensured bed rest, diet is required (first №5а, and then №5), taking detoxification preparations, vitamins. It is also recommended to increase the daily volume of the liquid being drunk - about 3 liters of water per day. Maintenance of water-salt balance and protective functions of the body is prescribed by intravenous injection of Ringer-Locke solutions, glucose.
Most hepatologists also practice infusions with sorbents (Rheosorbylact) and hepatoprotectors (Glutargin). Symptomatic treatment sometimes includes injections of Papaverin and Vikasol - drugs that remove the spasm of smooth muscles of the abdominal cavity.
Thus, the therapy is mainly aimed at eliminating the signs of hepatitis A and improving the overall well-being of the patient. AT
It is important to remember that, despite the absence of complications of Botkin's disease, it is a serious ailment that harms all systems of the body due to poisoning with toxic compounds. Therefore, the duration of treatment is about 1 month, after which a person is granted exemption from work for a further 2 weeks. Moreover, the weakness does not go away immediately and persists for 3-6 months, in which you should continue to follow the diet and try to avoid both physical and emotional stress.
Prevention of Botkin's Disease
The only measure that will help prevent infection is to follow the rules of hygiene. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the hands, water and food consumed. Try to keep in touch with unscrupulous people, do not eat in suspicious places and do not try unwashed berries, fruit in the markets.