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Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024

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Symptoms of chronic hepatitis in children and adults are similar in many respects.

Chronic viral hepatitis with moderate activity (I degree) is characterized by a benign course. Dull pain in the right hypochondrium, moderate hepatomegaly. Subicbacteria of mucous membranes and skin only during periods of exacerbation. Hemorrhagic syndrome, "hepatic signs" are not typical. In the blood, 65-70% of patients are diagnosed with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), in some cases - hepatitis B nuclear antigen (HBeAg). During the exacerbation there is a moderate increase in activity of cytolytic enzymes, gamma globulins, sediment samples.

Chronic viral hepatitis with activity of II-III degree more often has a recurrent course with exacerbations similar to acute hepatitis. Gradually develops hepatosplenomegaly, hemorrhagic manifestations are possible. Most patients develop "spider veins", "hepatic tongue and palms". Subic, asthenovegetative and dyspeptic phenomena persist and are not exacerbated. Along with the indices of cytolysis, signs of the activity of the inflammatory process and hepatodepression are characterized by signs of viral replication and hyperreactivity of the immune system. Often, the disease has a progressive course with the transition to cirrhosis of the liver.

Autoimmune hepatitis is more common in girls. In addition to pronounced hepatic and extrahepatic symptoms of hepatitis, the manifestations of the pathogenic process are characteristic: lymphadenopathy, arthritis, polyserositis, anemia and cytopenia, glomerulonephritis, endocrinopathy. Possible the appearance of LE cells, autoantibodies (anti-nuclear, antimitochondrial) to liver tissues, smooth muscles, lungs, kidneys, etc. The disease has a tendency to rapid progression and transition to cirrhosis of the liver.

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