How is hepatitis C transmitted? Common routes: how hepatitis C is transmitted

According to research into hepatitis C virus (HCV), it is now believed that sexual transmission can occur, but is much less common than sexual transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). If you suspect that you have become infected with HCV from your sexual partner, then first of all, you need to carefully think about whether this could have happened in another way: does anyone use your toothbrush, scissors, razor; did you get tattoos (where and how); whether needles were shared if you used drugs. You need to remember whether you had surgical interventions, blood transfusion, etc. Scientific research into the frequency and, accordingly, the relevance of sexual transmission of HCV is also accompanied by certain difficulties. They are: 1) the need to exclude another route of infection of the sexual partner; 2) the need to prove that sexual partners are infected with the same subtype of the virus. Sexual transmission of the virus has been studied in various groups persons infected with HCV. This made it possible to identify a group high risk sexual transmission of HCV and the group at the lowest risk of sexual transmission of HCV. The high-risk group includes people who frequently change sexual partners, including prostitutes and homosexuals. They are also at increased risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The group at the lowest risk of sexual transmission of HCV includes people with regular sexual partners and stable sexual relationships for many years. The frequency with which HCV markers are detected varies greatly among the above groups. According to studies in the USA, antibodies to HCV are detected in an average of 6% of prostitutes and 4% of homosexuals; among patients visiting dermatoveneral dispensaries and HIV-infected patients - in 4%. These studies noted that these individuals were more likely to have hepatitis B virus and HIV than hepatitis C virus. The prevalence of HCV antibodies in heterosexual couples with regular sexual relationships differs depending on geographical area and is the smallest in Northern Europe(0.0-0.5%), then in North America (2.0-4.8%), South America- 11.8%, Africa (5.6-20.7%), and the largest - in South-East Asia(8.8-27%). How does hepatitis C virus become infected through sexual transmission? Sexual transmission of the virus occurs when an infected secretion (any substance that is secreted by the human body) or infected blood penetrate into healthy body partner through the mucous membrane. However, infected secretions alone are not enough for infection to occur. So-called predisposing factors must be present: a large amount of virus in the secretion secreted by the body, impaired integrity of the mucous membrane with which it comes into contact, the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (viral or bacterial). Studies on the content of HCV in male semen, vaginal discharge, saliva indicate that the virus is rarely detected in them and is contained in a low titer, which probably underlies the low frequency of sexually transmitted HCV infection. What factors increase the risk of sexually transmitted HCV infection. Risk factors for individuals with sexual behavior associated with increased trauma are: - HIV co-infection; - homosexuality; - venereal diseases(virus herpes simplex, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea); - sex with a risk of damage to the mucous membrane (for example, anal). Thus, it can be noted that although the risk of contracting HCV through sexual contact exists, it is low. Practical recommendations. 1. In order to reduce the already very low risk of HCV infection in regular sexual partners, methods can be used barrier contraception(condoms). It is advisable to periodically (once a year) examine HCV markers. 2. For persons infected with HCV and who have multiple sexual partners or various short-term sexual relationships, it is recommended to use condoms. 3. It is advisable to use condoms if there are other sexually transmitted infections, when having sex during menstruation, and also when having sex with increased risk trauma to the mucous membrane (anal sex, etc.). 4. It is not recommended to use personal belongings of an infected sexual partner, which may contain traces of blood ( Toothbrush, razor, manicure accessories, etc.). Once again, please note that sexual transmission of the hepatitis C virus is not the main route of transmission for this infection. The virus enters the body mainly through infected blood.

More than 3% of people on the planet are infected hepatitis C virus. Unfortunately, the percentage of patients is growing every year. This is due to the increase in the number of drug addicts, who lead the risk group. Statistics say that 40−45% of people become infected while taking drugs (via a syringe). Today, millions of people are struggling with this disease.

Classification

So, hepatitis C is an inflammatory process in the liver, which is provoked by an RNA-containing hepatotropic virus. This is the most severe form of the viral disease. There are 2 forms of the disease:

• acute;
• chronic.

Why is hepatitis C so dangerous?

This virus is really very scary, as it can provoke the occurrence of:

It does not affect all organs; it has only one target - the liver.

Causes of infection hepatitisC

Doctors will never be able to accurately answer a person’s question, where could he have contracted hepatitis C?

There are several ways to become infected with the virus. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Parenteral mechanism of transmission

This means that the infection occurred through blood. In this case, it is not at all necessary to come into contact with a large amount of infected blood. It may be a dried out small drop.

The virus tends to survive on surfaces for up to 7 days. And with heat treatment it can only be killed at temperatures above 60 degrees. Microscopic particles of blood often remain on instruments (medical, manicure and others). They are the ones who carry the virus when they enter the human bloodstream. It can enter the body when using other people's hygiene products:

• razors;
• scissors;
• nail files.

A large percentage of infection falls on those who have had a blood transfusion or hemodialysis in their lives. Organ transplantation, for example, liver transplantation, can also be a cause, but in such cases the disease progresses much more rapidly and more complexly.
Photo: virus model

Vertical transmission of hepatitis C

This method characteristic when a child is infected from the mother during the birth process. But the virus can also enter during pregnancy itself through the mother’s bloodstream.

Sexual infection hepatitis C

If you have unprotected sexual intercourse, you can only become infected during acute stage. Latent hepatitis C is not so scary. The secretion of the genital organs contains this virus, and if the partner has microcracks or wounds, then the virus will easily enter the body.

Other methods of infection and general results

In the world there are facts of hepatitis C infection due to insect bites. But the percentage of victims in this way is small enough that it is rarely considered as the cause of the virus.

If we summarize how hepatitis C is transmitted from person to person, we can say with confidence that it is not transmitted in everyday life, through kissing or shaking hands. This means that a sick person cannot be excluded from society.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hepatitis C in men and women are completely the same.

So, what are the first signs of hepatitis C and how do they differ from another type - virus B?

Acute form

In acute hepatitis, the first symptoms will appear about 6 weeks after infection. Then the disease will begin to progress, and the person will develop:

• joint pain;
• decreased appetite;
• fatigue;
• temperature increase;

Chronic form

In the chronic form, the disease can develop from 5 to 15 years completely asymptomatically. It’s not for nothing that the virus is called the “gentle killer.”

Symptoms of this stage of hepatitis C are more like fatigue or a cold. But if there is fatigue, insomnia, joint pain, mood swings, increased body temperature, bloating, loss of appetite, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

Today, medicine has made much progress, and diagnosing the presence of the hepatitis C virus is quite easy. It's much more difficult to get rid of it.

To confirm the diagnosis it is necessary:

• pass general analysis blood;
• do an ultrasound abdominal cavity;
• biochemical analysis blood;
• stool analysis.

It happens that the analysis shows the presence of antibodies in the blood, but the virus itself is absent. This means that the immune system was able to protect the body, and self-healing occurred.

The result may also be false positive; this happens due to inappropriate preparation for the test.
Photo: Hepatitis C

Treatment of the virus

It is impossible to completely get rid of hepatitis C, but you can stop its development.

If you still have positive result, there is no need to despair and rely on folk remedies. It is imperative to start effective drug treatment.

Typically used to treat hepatitis C virus:

• protease inhibitors;
• RNA polymerase inhibitors;
• interferons.

The duration of therapy depends on the stage and type of disease and can last from 15 to 28 weeks.

During the treatment process, do not forget about hepatoprotectors, which will help the liver recover and counteract the virus. For example, some doctors prescribe Laveron for their patients.

Few people know how dangerous unprotected sexual intercourse is in this regard. IN last years Statistics on the prevalence of this viral disease are rapidly increasing. And if just a few years ago hepatitis C was the prerogative of drug addicts, today other ways of transmitting this disease are increasingly common, which indicates that people are unaware of the problem and the scale of its spread.

How can you catch hepatitis C? This information is important for everyone.

No one has a guarantee of safety from possible infection, almost all of us are at risk. Every year the number of people infected is constantly increasing. And the statistics on this disease look like this: 170 million people on the planet are carriers or are sick with chronic hepatitis WITH.

And these are just the recorded facts. Every year this figure increases by 3–4 million people. Therefore, information about how you can catch this disease, as well as the mechanisms of its transmission, is important for each of us to know and understand.

1. The main route of transmission of hepatitis C is through blood. Moreover, you can get this viral disease not only from a patient, but also from an infected person. It has been proven that blood and its components contain maximum amount viral cells.
2. Blood is not the only liquid in which the presence of the virus is noted. Its presence is in a woman’s menstrual fluid, in a man’s semen, lymphatic fluid, and saliva.

Despite the fact that in quantitative terms there are more virus cells in the blood than in human sperm or saliva, one should not think that the disease is not transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse.

Sex without a condom has today become one of the main reasons for the spread of viral hepatitis C. The percentage of viral cells in saliva is quite low even late stages development of the disease. The likelihood that infection will occur through a kiss is quite low and practically reduced to zero.

The insidiousness of the virus lies in the fact that it is quite active and capable of for a long time remain viable even when dried out biological fluids. Here its activity lasts up to 96 hours.

Doctors also identify certain risk groups. These are people who, due to their behavior or working conditions, are exposed to hepatitis C.

They are conventionally divided into three groups according to the likelihood of infection:

• low risk is medical workers that come into contact with the blood of persons who have unprotected sex with fickle and untested partners;
• average degree at risk - people undergoing hemodialysis, children from an infected mother, patients who have transplanted organs;
• high degree at risk are injection drug addicts and people diagnosed with HIV infection.

According to this gradation, people who have unprotected sex with unknown partners have a low risk of becoming infected. But you should not think that such behavior is safe, and hepatitis is not scary for you. This is far from true!

Unprotected sex and hepatitis C

Despite the fact that unprotected sex is considered an unlikely route of infection, the number of patients who acquired hepatitis C this way is increasing significantly every year.

Thus, medical workers say that the likelihood of infection with this viral disease ranges from approximately 3 to 5% if sex was unprotected with an infected sexual partner. If a condom was used during sexual intercourse, then the possibility of infection is reduced to zero.

These figures are not accurate enough, since determining the exact route of infection of a particular patient is almost impossible. It can take months, and sometimes even years, from the time the virus is received until it is detected.

The fact is that it cannot be determined by any external signs. Many people think that people with this diagnosis have some obvious external symptoms, for example, yellow sclera of the eyes or skin. But this is far from true. Many patients are carriers of this disease and may not even know they have it. And characteristic surface features may appear in later stages, when chronic hepatitis C leads to significant loss of liver function. Therefore rely on appearance person and you should not trust him blindly.

We have already said that the approximate percentage of the probability of transmitting the virus through unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner is no more than 5%. But for a particular person, this percentage can increase significantly.

• For example, for someone who constantly practices unprotected sex with untested and unfamiliar partners, this figure increases to 25%.
• Increased danger represents anal sex without protection, as it is often accompanied by cracks and bleeding.
• The likelihood of contracting hepatitis C through sexual contact increases significantly if aggressive sex is practiced, which causes trauma and bleeding of the mucous membranes.
• The risk also increases during a woman's menstruation.

Hepatitis C is a fairly common phenomenon among representatives of non-traditional sexual orientation. Here, the percentage of carriers of the viral component reaches 4. If we talk about women of “easy virtue,” then the number of patients with hepatitis C is 6%.

It should be noted that patients who are treated in dermatovenerological clinics quite often become aware of the fact that they have hepatitis C. Such detection accounts for approximately 4% of all patients. Agree, the number is not small and makes you think about safety during sexual intercourse with an unknown partner.

When the virus is detected in the blood

Many people are interested in the question of how the disease is diagnosed and whether it has characteristic external manifestations after infection? If you had unprotected sex, when should you come for a test so that the result gives a complete picture of your health status? Let's figure it out.

Today it is not difficult to determine the presence of a virus in the blood. This analysis is carried out in most medical institutions and laboratories.

Analysis for hepatitis C represents several methods of immunobiological reactions in the human body:

• determination of immunoglobulin A and G;
• PCR method.

The first type of research is considered more extensive and quite revealing.

• So, if immunoglobulin A is detected in a patient’s blood, this indicates an active process of development of viral hepatitis C in the body of this person.
• Positive immunoglobulin G gives more ambiguous results, since it indicates the presence of viral hepatitis or its absence, but at the same time, based on the results, it is quite difficult to determine the phase of its activity in the body. Therefore, most often, if its results are doubtful, additional tests are prescribed. Many doctors practice simultaneous determination of immunoglobulin A and G.

The PCR method helps to detect the RNA of the virus in the patient’s blood and talk about its presence or absence.

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 is the leader. different forms.

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

1. 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 this moment Not all types of the disease have yet been identified, so there is a possibility that there are many more of them.
2. Non-viral hepatitis. Not only pathogenic microorganisms capable of stimulating the development of the disease. Various intoxications can contribute to this. How is this type of hepatitis transmitted? This may occur due to frequent use alcoholic drinks, work in hazardous industries, systematic use 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 diagnosed in hot and undeveloped countries where sanitary and hygienic standards are poorly observed. As a rule, the patient recovers, and his body gains 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 from using non-sterile medical instruments, That's why this pathology often found in drug addicts.

Cases of infection of people undergoing treatment in medical institutions. 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 sexual intercourse because harmful bacteria present in both sperm 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 leading 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. For treatment of this disease until vaccines were invented.

Hepatitis E infection occurs in the same way as type A infection. The symptoms and course of both diseases are similar. Pathogenic bacteria, getting inside the body, cause 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 activities. There is no vaccine yet for this disease.

Incubation period of hepatitis

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Form E has an incubation period of 14-50 days and symptoms reminiscent of type A.

Video: ways of infection with hepatitis C

Every person is at risk for possible hepatitis infection. Information about how hepatitis is transmitted should concern everyone without exception. What is hepatitis C, where can you get it, how to diagnose the disease in time? For these and others no less important questions answers have been prepared in this article.

What does it represent?

Hepatitis C - infection and is considered the most insidious form of hepatitis. Enlarged virus under electron microscope appears as a small, spherical shape, covered with a surface layer (shell). Characteristic feature the virus is genetic predisposition to constant change. The tendency to mutations forms the basis for the development of chronic pathologies.

Who gets sick more often?

IN Lately There is an increase in hepatitis C infections. More than 170 million people around the world are carriers of the chronic form. Cases of infection occur in all countries of the world, but the number of patients is not the same. Younger people are more likely to get sick, but cases among older people are rising rapidly.

How can hepatitis C be transmitted?

Everyone should know how to become infected with hepatitis C. The main source by which hepatitis is transmitted is blood. All methods of transmission of the virus are associated with direct contact with infected blood, which subsequently enters the bloodstream healthy person. The risk of contracting hepatitis C occurs in any place where there is a possibility of disruption of the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes.

Dentists, tattoo parlors, medical institutions - a small list of those circumstances under which hepatitis C infection is possible. In any place where sanitary standards and manipulations are performed medical nature, the likelihood of infection increases. In practice, there are situations when identifying the source of infection is difficult. Let's look at the most common routes of infection.

Sexual transmission

Up to 5% of hepatitis C infections occur through sexual contact.

Compared to virus transmission HIV infection or hepatitis B, the likelihood of transmission of hepatitis C virus is relatively small. Repeated studies of sperm and saliva have shown that the virus content in them is rarely detected. 5% of all cases of infection occur through sexual contact. The risk of transmission of hepatitis C virus increases:

• without using protective equipment;
• injury to the mucous membrane during hard sex;
• at inflammatory processes in the genitals;
• contact during a woman's monthly bleeding.

Infection in a hospital or during cosmetic procedures

In medical institutions there is careful control over the sterility of equipment. Some of the tools are disposable, which reduces the likelihood of their reuse. At pick up donated blood donors are registered, their blood is tested and stored in the blood bank. When information appears that the donor’s blood is contaminated, it is rejected or subject to thorough analysis.

Beauty salons and dentistry, which value their reputation, do not skimp on sterilizing instruments. If all sterility instructions are followed, the infectiousness of the virus is 0. Cases where women become infected after a manicure have decreased significantly. The situation with tattoos is more complicated, because often young people get them not in special salons with disposable tools, but from random artists.

Mother to child transmission

If there are complications during childbirth, the child may be infected with the disease from the sick mother.

According to multiple studies, it has been proven that the hepatitis virus from mother to child during intrauterine development does not pass. The likelihood of infecting your baby with an infection through the placenta occurs if large quantity virus RNA in the blood (more than 2 million) and if pathological complications occur in the mother (placental abruption). The risk of transmission of the virus occurs during childbirth, when the baby passes birth canal. When caring for a child (after birth) and during breastfeeding the disease is not transmitted. Subject to hygiene procedures and careful breast care (cracks should not be allowed), the mother can fully feed breast milk.

There is no contraindication to pregnancy if a woman has the hepatitis C virus.

Household transmission

The virus is contagious, but hepatitis C is transmitted not through a handshake, but through blood. Therefore, transmission of infection by everyday means there is no need to be afraid. Infection does not occur through shared food or water. Fear of infection from person to person by airborne droplets or when shaking hands it is not necessary. You don't have to avoid kissing, sneezing, coughing, or communicating. The person is not contagious; there is no need to isolate him from society.

Hepatitis C can be transmitted in everyday life only through drops of blood. This situation is unlikely if the necessary precautions are taken. But if blood suddenly gets on the bed or dishes, things need to be disinfected. Items are wiped with bleach, and laundry is washed at a water temperature of 60 degrees for about 30 minutes, or keep in boiling water for 2-3 minutes.

You can get infected, but not get sick

There is a high recovery rate without medication.

There were situations in which infection occurred, but after some time recovery occurred. This case is characterized by the following development:

1. In 20% it occurs full recovery. Triggered strong immune defense organism and the disease proceeds in a mild form.
2. In 70% the disease acquires chronic form. For chronic viral hepatitis Constant examination and monitoring by a doctor is required. The possibility of sudden development of the disease remains forever.

The possibility that infection occurs and a person becomes a carrier cannot be ruled out. The virus develops at a slow pace, so signs of the disease do not appear. In addition, tests do not show any changes: liver tests and biopsy are normal. The important thing is that the possibility of the disease passing into a latent form is not excluded.