Can you get hepatitis C through sexual contact?

Pneumonia, or pneumonia, is a common disease that occurs as a complication of respiratory infections. Thanks to the capabilities of modern medicine, patients whose condition does not cause concern are treated on an outpatient basis. In this regard, their loved ones have a question: how contagious is pneumonia and is it possible to get sick after contact with a sick relative?

Is the disease dangerous for others?

Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria and viruses, and less commonly by fungal microorganisms. From the upper respiratory tract they enter the lower respiratory tract, begin to actively multiply and infect tissues. Symptoms of pneumonia include a severe cough, difficulty breathing, a fever of 38 degrees or higher, and a general deterioration in health.

Pneumonia itself, like bronchitis, is not a contagious disease. That is, upon contact with a patient and the pathogen entering the body, the inflammatory process in the lungs will not begin immediately. At the same time, pathogenic microorganisms present in the respiratory organs of the patient are released into the air over a certain period of time. They can cause others not pneumonia, but another disease - ARVI, influenza, etc., which, in turn, can develop into pneumonia.

The likelihood of becoming infected depends on the pathogen and other factors , including the state of immunity, stage and type of disease.
Atypical or community-acquired pneumonia develops due to the activity of bacteria and viruses. Theoretically, this type of disease is dangerous to others, but other factors play an important role.

Chronic pneumonia is a consequence of the advanced acute stage of the disease. It can be contracted from a patient.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia is one of the most severe types, since its pathogens are resistant to antibiotics. This type of inflammation can be contracted from a patient.

Caseous pneumonia is a type of tuberculosis, characterized by a rapid course and creates a high risk of infection for others.

The incubation period for pneumonia is 2-4 days, and at this time the patient is already contagious to other people. If we talk about pathogens, viral pneumonia is considered the most contagious - they can be transmitted to others within a week. Bacterial species are less dangerous, and a few days after starting antibiotic therapy, the risk of infection becomes minimal.

REFERENCE! The course of pneumonia in patients indirectly affects the risk of infecting others. Logically, a person who constantly coughs and sneezes spreads more pathogenic microorganisms, but in the absence of such symptoms, infection is also possible.

How to determine if a person is contagious

Based on certain symptoms, you can independently determine the degree of contagiousness of the patient.

1. A rise in temperature signals that the body is fighting an infection and is the main sign that a person may be contagious. If the cause is the flu, the temperature usually lasts for four days at 37.7-38.8 degrees.
2. An upper respiratory tract infection usually involves an inflammatory process that results in thick, colorless or yellow-green nasal discharge. In this case, the disease is more likely to be transmitted. Thick, colorless liquid often indicates sinusitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, and epiglottitis.
3. If diarrhea, vomiting and a slight fever appear, the doctor can diagnose the so-called stomach flu, rotavirus infection, or Coxsackie virus infection. This condition is also contagious to other people.
4. Severe headaches in the forehead and nose can indicate the presence of influenza. Such sensations arise due to swelling and accumulation of mucus in the sinuses. The headache may especially intensify when the body is tilted forward.
5. A sore throat and runny nose indicate influenza or ARVI. Sometimes the throat hurts when mucus from the nose runs down the back of the throat. This causes redness and irritation of the throat, the patient feels soreness and soreness. If your breathing is wheezing and your eyes are watery, most likely the culprit is not a virus, but an allergy, which is not contagious.

This is a natural reaction of the body when, due to long sleep, the immune system conserves strength and fights infection.

Is it possible to catch it from another person?

As mentioned above, the likelihood of contracting pneumonia from a sick person depends on various factors, primarily on the causative agent of the disease.
Theoretically, pneumonia can be caused by any pathogenic microorganisms, but there are a number of agents that most often provoke the disease.

Pneumococci. Pathogens that cause pneumonia in 80% of cases. They cause acute forms of the disease, accompanied by classic respiratory symptoms - cough, difficulty breathing, runny nose.

The most common routes of transmission of infection are contact and household contact.

Streptococci. Streptococcal pneumonia is less common than pneumococcal pneumonia, and the course of the disease is usually quite mild. Typically, this bacterium causes tonsillitis, but if the immune system is weakened and left untreated, it can lead to pneumonia. Like pneumococci, streptococci are most often transmitted from person to person through contact.

Staphylococci. Gram-positive bacteria that live in the body of any person. They belong to opportunistic microflora and cause pneumonia only when immunity is reduced. The danger lies in the fact that they can be transmitted in any way and, under favorable conditions, cause not only pneumonia, but also other diseases.

Klebsiella. Pathogenic microorganisms, which are divided into many varieties. Each of them causes pneumonia with a different course, and pathogens can be transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets and contact.

Chlamydia. Pneumonia caused by chlamydia is considered one of the most dangerous, but it all depends on the type of pathogen. Chlamydia can be transmitted through airborne droplets and household contact, but most often it is transmitted through the reproductive tract. This means that newborns are most at risk of contracting chlamydia pneumonia if the mother is infected with chlamydia.

Mycoplasmas. Mycoplasma pneumonia is a disease that causes serious damage to the respiratory system and is often characterized by a severe course. Mycoplasmas are easily transmitted by airborne droplets, especially in large crowds of people, so patients are dangerous to others.

Escherichia coli and hemophilus influenzae. Frequently occurring pathogens of pneumonia, which are transmitted mainly through household contact - through kissing, shaking hands, touching.

According to statistics, community-acquired bacterial pneumonia carries an average risk of infection.

Patients can transmit the infection to others in the acute period, and after starting antibiotic therapy, the concentration and activity of pathogenic microorganisms decreases, along with the likelihood of infecting another person.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (those that are contracted in medical institutions) is more contagious and dangerous to health. This is due to the development of resistance to antibiotics in pathogenic microorganisms, which makes the disease difficult to treat.

Viral pneumonia is transmitted from person to person much more often than bacterial pneumonia. The most common causes of pneumonia include:

• herpes viruses;
• rotaviruses;
• influenza and parainfluenza viruses;
• adenoviruses;
• citalomegaviruses;
• coronaviruses.

The risk of infection depends on the strain of the virus, but on average, a patient remains infectious to others for a week. The danger lies in the fact that there is no specific treatment for some microorganisms. Symptomatic treatment is possible, so the patient can spread the infection for a long time, including during the recovery period.

Caseous pneumonia is even more dangerous for others. This is a form of tuberculosis caused by Koch's bacillus. It is accompanied by extensive release of pathogenic microorganisms that are spread by coughing and sneezing. In addition, it is accompanied by severe complications and a rapid course.

Fungal pneumonia develops less frequently than other types of the disease, and its cause is damage to the lungs by opportunistic types of fungus (mold, yeast, etc.). This type of disease is not dangerous to others - infection occurs by inhaling spores that are in the air. Most often, fungal pneumonia affects people living in unfavorable conditions - in rooms affected by mold.

REFERENCE! Pneumonia, which develops in bedridden patients, after serious chest injuries or due to allergic reactions, is not dangerous to others. Their causes are not pathogenic microorganisms, but edema, blood stagnation and impaired lung function.

Human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus – HPV.

This is a group of 180 viruses that are transmitted during sexual intercourse or in everyday life and lead to the development of the following conditions: condylomas, cervical cancer, warts, breast cancer.

The HPV virus can cause productive and non-productive infections, moving from papillomas and condylomas to epithelial transformation (dysplasia, cancer).

How can you become infected with HPV?

All forms of sexual contact: oral, genital, anal sex, kissing, petting.

Also sharing the same dishes and cutlery, towels, and bed linen with the sick person after the patient.

Viruses survive well outside the human body.

Therefore, you can acquire HPV in a bathhouse, swimming pool, toilet, or when cutting fish, meat and poultry.

Papilloma viruses penetrate the cells of the genitals, skin, upper respiratory tract and bronchi, oral cavity, esophagus and conjunctiva of the eyes.

A person can transfer viruses from one area to another by shaving, biting nails, or scratching.

The virus is also transmitted from pregnant woman to fetus and during childbirth.

For the virus to penetrate, microtraumas are necessary, which every person has in abundance.

They will become the entrance gates of infection.

The incubation period lasts from a couple of weeks to several months.

Symptoms of HPV depend on the type of virus.

Condylomas:

• soft to the touch, light or red-brown, flat or pointed, stalked, papillary growths of various sizes;
• fusion of condylomas in clusters, with ulcerations (giant condyloma Buschke-Levenshtein);
• swelling, exudation of interstitial fluid;
• itching, pain;
• clear or bloody discharge;
• urethritis (stinging and burning, swelling, hyperemia)

Malignant tumor:

Human papillomaviruses can have three degrees of risk of malignancy.

That is, transformation into a malignant tumor. The transformation is facilitated by immune deficiency, chlamydia, HIV, and pregnancy.

• cervical epithelial dysplasia
• cervical cancer
• cancer of the vagina, vulva
• anal cancer
• penile cancer

Juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis:

• papillomas in the area of ​​the pharyngeal ring and trachea;
• narrowing of the airways, leading to suffocation
• occurs in infants, toddlers, and young adults

PCR-polymerase chain reaction is considered the method of choice in diagnosing HPV.

It is focused specifically on searching for details of the pathogen genome (chains of deoxyribonucleic and ribonucleic acids).

It is possible to conduct serological tests: ELISA and smear microscopy.

But they are much less informative and are used only with an obvious clinical picture.

To exclude oncology, a test for the E7 tumor marker is performed.

HPV treatment

• immunostimulating methods;
• treatment of other sexually transmitted diseases;
• antiviral therapy described below;
• recombinant therapeutic vaccine against HPV.

Prevention

• periodic examinations for STIs;
• destruction of condylomas and papillomas (chemically, laser, surgically, electrocoagulation, cryotherapy);
• dynamic observation after treatment
• vaccination against HPV (the first vaccine against four types of HPV was synthesized in 2007 in our country)

How is it transmitted from sick to healthy?

Most often, pneumonia pathogens are transmitted by airborne droplets. They are released when the patient coughs and sneezes, after which they enter the upper respiratory organs of others.
In addition, they can settle on surfaces and enter the body after contact with them. Further development depends on the state of the immune system and the age of the person - viruses and bacteria are especially dangerous for children and the elderly. The risk of infection increases if the following factors are present:

• regular contact with the patient;
• use of common utensils and personal hygiene items without pre-treatment;
• a favorable atmosphere for the development of viruses and bacteria - temperatures above 20 degrees and low humidity;
• presence of several infected people in the same room.

If people live in the same room, it makes no sense to isolate the patient after symptoms appear. The infection has already spread in the air and could be transmitted to other people, so it is better to strengthen the immune system, and at the first suspicion of infection, consult a specialist. The risk of contracting pneumonia after contact with a sick person in an open space is much lower, especially if the contact was short-lived.

Pneumonia is transmitted less frequently by other methods, but you should be aware of them to prevent infection.

Contact or contact-household path. Kissing, shaking hands and touching can cause the development of the disease. Preschool children in groups are especially often infected in this way.

Sexual path. It is quite difficult to contract pneumonia through sexual contact, but there is a risk. Unprotected oral-genital contacts are especially dangerous, not to mention the fact that intimate communication usually involves kissing and other types of interaction.

Descending path. The method is dangerous for newborns - bacteria and viruses remain on the mucous membranes and are transmitted to the child when passing through the birth canal.

REFERENCE! Pneumonia caused by coronavirus infection is particularly dangerous. Due to the lack of specific therapy, the pathogen remains active for a long time, so it is better to avoid contact with patients until complete recovery.

Is it possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex if the woman is sick and the man is healthy?

A completely logical question is whether it is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex if a woman is a carrier of the virus. First, you should consider the situation when a woman provides affection. It is immediately worth noting that in this situation, a man may practically not worry about being infected.

But if a woman has injuries on the oral mucosa during contact, then infection can occur. But it’s also worth thinking about whether it’s possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex if the caress is provided by a man and the woman is a carrier of the infection. In such a situation, the chances of a healthy man becoming infected are much higher. The fact is that the virus is not released into saliva, but it is present in vaginal discharge. But infection will occur only if there are injuries to the mucous membrane of the man’s oral cavity.

In their absence, the virus enters the stomach, where it is completely dissolved in the existing juice. However, if unprotected anal intercourse occurs, the probability of infection is more than 99%. When asking a venereologist such a question, a definite answer will not be given, because the probability, although small, exists. The likelihood that during oral sex a healthy person will get the immunodeficiency virus, which subsequently progresses to AIDS, is minimized. Infection occurs only through unprotected vaginal contact, or through blood.

Prevention of pneumonia for adults and children

Pneumonia is a disease that is easier to prevent than to treat. The main way to prevent infection is to avoid contact with people who have signs of respiratory infections (coughing, sneezing, fever, etc.). In addition, the following rules must be observed:

• wash your hands after coming from the street, visiting the toilet, coughing, sneezing - pathogens of pneumonia settle on them, which then enter the body;
• do not touch your mouth, nose and eyes with dirty hands, as pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate inside through the mucous membranes;
• give up bad habits - smoking and regular alcohol consumption reduce immunity and increase the risk of infection;
• strengthen the immune system - lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, toughen up, avoid nervous stress if possible;
• If symptoms of ARVI appear, consult a doctor, stay in bed and begin treatment - most often pneumonia develops in people who suffer from diseases “on their feet”.

If a person has to care for a patient or be in the same room with him, it is recommended to wear a protective mask , regularly carry out wet cleaning (best with special antiseptic agents) and ventilation. Wash all personal hygiene items thoroughly and rinse with boiling water, and wash bed linen and towels in hot water. Close people can take antiviral drugs for preventive purposes (Rimantadine, Amantadine, etc.), but it is better to consult a doctor first.

An effective way to prevent the development of pneumonia is vaccination. It does not guarantee protection against infection, but reduces the risk of developing complications of ARVI. Vaccinations against influenza, pneumococcal infection and Haemophilus influenzae type B are sufficient to maximally protect the body from a dangerous disease.

Children, especially newborns and infants under one year of age, must be isolated from the sick person. They become infected with pneumonia much more often than adults, since the growing body is not able to quickly respond to pathogenic microorganisms and cope with them.

REFERENCE! Taking antibiotics to prevent pneumonia is strictly not recommended. They not only cannot prevent the risk of infection, but also weaken the immune system.

Etiology of influenza

Influenza is caused by a group of viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. There are three large genera - A, B and C, which are divided into serotypes H and N, depending on which proteins are found on the surface of the virus, hemagglutinin or neuraminidase. There are 25 such subtypes in total, but 5 of them are found in humans, and one virus can contain both types of proteins of different subtypes.

Influenza viruses change very quickly, and new species with altered properties are discovered every year. Sometimes such pathogenic subtypes appear that epidemics caused by them are described in history textbooks. One of these subtypes is “Spanish Flu,” which often killed a person within 24 hours and claimed the lives of 20 million people at the beginning of the last century.

The most dangerous epidemiologically are influenza A viruses; they cause epidemics every year. Type B virus can also cause severe influenza, but it does not spread as widely and outbreaks usually occur during or shortly before type A. Both groups contain proteins H and N, therefore, when classifying them, not only the group, but also the subtype, as well as the place of discovery, year and serial number are indicated. Influenza C virus does not contain the H protein and is usually mild.

How does flu infection occur?

Infection usually occurs through airborne droplets, although contact and household transmission cannot be ruled out. The virus enters the body through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. It is believed that you can become infected with the flu even at a distance of 2–3 meters from a patient, so personal protective equipment becomes especially important during epidemics.

On human skin, the influenza virus dies quickly - after 4-6 minutes, but on household items, the ability to survive increases, for example, on metal and plastic. If a person touches a surface contaminated with the flu virus and then touches their face, and studies show that people touch their face more than 300 times during the day, this dramatically increases the likelihood of infection.

How long a person with the flu is contagious depends on the type and severity of the illness, but you can usually become infected within 5-6 days of the onset of the disease. Moreover, infection can also occur with the erased form of influenza. Infection is facilitated by a decrease in air humidity in the room. Fresh air prevents the virus from entering the respiratory tract, but at low temperatures, about 0 °C, against the background of hypothermia of the mucous membranes and dry air, the risk of contracting the flu increases.

For the spread of infection, it is important at what temperature the influenza virus dies. Different strains react differently to temperature changes, but heating above 70°C kills the virus within 5 minutes, while boiling almost instantly. The virus can remain viable on household items for up to 7 days. High humidity also contributes to its death.

Who is at risk

Older people, pregnant women and children are most susceptible to contracting pneumonia. Their immune system is weakened, which creates a favorable environment for the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. Other factors that increase the risk of infection include:

• systemic and autoimmune diseases;
• chemotherapy and immunosuppressive treatment (taking drugs that suppress the immune system);
• diseases of the respiratory organs - bronchopulmonary obstruction, emphysema, tuberculosis, neoplasms;
• smoking, drinking alcohol, uncontrolled use of medications;
• prolonged contact with strong allergens, inhalation of toxic substances;
• severe hypothermia, frequent and prolonged nervous stress.

Influenza and ARVI: routes of transmission, signs, prevention

Millions of people annually fall ill with influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI or, as people say, acute respiratory infections). These infections affect up to 80% of the population annually. The most severe forms of influenza and acute respiratory infections are observed primarily in the elderly and children under one year old. These infections cause enormous damage to public health and sometimes lead to serious complications. Hundreds of people die every year from influenza and its complications.

Due to the high level of variability in the antigenic structure of circulating viruses, immunity to viruses that circulate in the current year may not be effective against viruses that begin to circulate in the next year. The annual epidemic outbreaks of influenza are explained precisely by the high level of variability of the virus.

Routes of transmission

When sneezing, as well as when coughing, tiny particles of saliva and sputum, which contain viruses in huge quantities, fly out of the mouth of a sick person. Therefore, the main mechanism of transmission of influenza and ARVI is called airborne. Another mechanism of transmission of respiratory infection is contact. It remained unproven for a long time and less obvious than airborne. However, it plays no less, and perhaps a greater, role in the spread of colds. It happens like this. Typically, a person who is sneezing or coughing will cover their mouth with their hand, hoping to prevent the spread of infection through airborne droplets. At the same time, he does not even suspect how much he simplifies the transmission of his infection through contact. The fact is that the entire colossal mass of microbes, which should have come out into the open space, settles on the hand of a sneezing or coughing person. Which safely distributes it among household items, including those that other people touch. Or he spreads it across the hands of friends, colleagues and acquaintances when shaking hands. Those, in turn, can only touch their mouth, nose, or wipe their eyes, which are also lined with mucous membranes susceptible to ARVI, and the complex airborne transmission route is reduced tenfold in time and complexity for the virus. This is why it is important to wash your hands and avoid touching your own face during respiratory outbreaks.

It is worth adding to this that the pathogens of ARVI are quite stable in the external environment. Thus, the influenza virus can remain viable outside the body for up to 3 weeks. Therefore, infection can occur even after a significant time after a sick person’s contact with household items, children’s toys, dishes, door handles of public institutions, etc. On the other hand, for the successful introduction of the virus into the body, another factor is important - the number of viral particles entering the body. The lower it is, the less likely it is that the body’s protective barriers will be overcome and a disease will occur. High concentrations of viruses can persist in closed spaces, especially with large crowds of people: offices, schools, kindergartens, public transport, shops. On the contrary, in the open air it is almost impossible to encounter a sufficient number of microbial particles for infection. Therefore, contrary to popular belief, even during a seasonal outbreak of ARVI, walking outdoors is not at all dangerous. It matters much more what kind of transport you use to get to your place of walk or work.

Signs of the disease, principles of treatment

After the pathogen has entered the body, it takes time for it to overcome the body’s protective barriers and begin to multiply in sufficient quantities, exerting its effect on the body. This time is called the incubation period. For ARVI, the duration of the incubation period ranges from several hours to 3 days, on average 2 days, and depends on the aggressiveness of the virus, the number of viral particles and the state of the protective forces of the respiratory system.

Then the clinical picture of ARVI begins to gradually develop. It can be divided into 2 syndromes - catarrhal and intoxication. Catarrhal syndrome is the result of damage to the mucous membranes and manifests itself as follows: dryness, sore and sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, sneezing, change in voice, redness of the conjunctiva, lacrimation, and sometimes photophobia.

Intoxication syndrome, as a rule, appears later than catarrhal syndrome and disappears before it, but is nevertheless more severe. The reproduction of viruses inside cells is accompanied by the formation of toxins dangerous to humans. The destruction of infected cells leads to the release of these substances into the blood, which cause the picture of intoxication syndrome. It manifests itself as fever, chills, pain in the joints and muscles, and in more severe cases, nausea, vomiting and loss of consciousness.

Viral infections of the respiratory tract are characterized by light, transparent discharge with low viscosity (experts call it serous). Towards the end of the disease they may become yellowish. If the discharge from the nose or bronchi becomes thick, its quantity increases sharply, and the color becomes dark yellow, this may indicate a bacterial infection.

Despite the wide variety of symptoms, for most people ARVI, including influenza, is not a serious illness. They pose a danger to people with severe concomitant diseases: diabetes, heart failure, chronic renal failure, tuberculosis and others.

Any infection is a conflict between the human body and a pathogenic pathogen. Each such conflict requires the closest attention. Seeing a doctor is mandatory; it will help make a timely diagnosis and determine adequate treatment. Antibiotics that successfully treat bacterial infections are ineffective for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections. They have completely different mechanisms of action that cannot affect viruses in any way. The only case when the use of antibiotics is justified is when a bacterial infection also occurs. The doctor prescribes antiviral drugs, of which many have now been developed and are selected individually. It is possible to prescribe vitamins, detoxification and symptomatic therapy.

Prevention

To prevent the spread of infection, the patient should, if possible, be protected from contact with others. In order to reduce the release of viruses when sneezing, you can use a mask by placing it on the patient. In order for a mask to perform its protective function, it must cover both the mouth and nose. Only in this case will it retain droplets of liquid that fly out when sneezing, talking and coughing.

Contrary to popular belief, a mask worn by a healthy person does not act as a filter that retains viruses (it is not airtight enough for this), but prevents accidental contact of a person’s hands with the mouth and nose, reducing the risk of contact transmission of infection.

Ventilating rooms will reduce the concentration of the virus in confined spaces. Individuals should avoid shaking hands and reduce their time on public transport and in crowded places to a minimum. Wash your hands as often as possible. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands.

Remember! Any viral disease contracted “on your feet” can have a bad effect on your health in the future. In any case, at the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to call a doctor at home and get specialist recommendations regarding the treatment strategy. Remember that any self-medication can lead to undesirable consequences and complications.

Methods of transmission of the virus

Recent studies have shown that the main method of transmission is through direct entry of the pathogen into the blood. A separate risk group includes drug addicts who use reusable syringes for injections without proper treatment.

It is dangerous to apply tattoos without proper treatment of the instrument, or to use someone else's razor or toothbrush or comb. Household items carry particles of the patient's blood and, injuring the skin, become infected.

If equipment is not properly handled, there is a risk of infection during surgery or blood transfusion. It is no coincidence that two thirds of patients occur in underdeveloped countries of Africa, tropical and subtropical countries of Asia.

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It is not yet possible to completely prevent a child from receiving the virus during childbirth, which is transmitted as the baby passes through the birth canal, however, such cases rarely exceed the 5% threshold. When feeding with milk, hepatitis C is not transmitted.

The disease is also not transmitted by airborne droplets, such as influenza. Therefore, quarantine or isolation of sick people is not practiced, although the disease can be treated and is recognized as a contraindication for military service. There have been cases of transmission of infection through household means, through common household items, and by contact, in the presence of microdamages to the skin. Therefore, the patient needs separate dishes, toothbrush, bed linen, etc.

Is hepatitis C transmitted sexually?

Yes, Hepatitis C is sexually transmitted. As noted above, the pathogen is transmitted by contact with:

• blood;
• saliva;
• sperm;
• vaginal discharge.

These fluids from a sick person become dangerous if the sexual partner has damage to the mucous membranes or skin.

Although rare, cases of hepatitis C infection have been recorded even through a kiss - unfortunately, the mucous membrane of the gums is fragile in terms of tissue structure and easily forms microcracks.

From the moment of infection until the first signs appear, half a month passes; in the case of a healthy initial state of the patient’s liver, up to a year.

The first signs are similar to a mild form of the flu: fever, body aches, rashes, and headache.

As the disease develops, nausea appears, appetite disappears, and the urine becomes dark due to an increase in bilirubin in it.

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Subsequently, the skin acquires a yellowish tint, but the general condition improves slightly. Hepatitis C becomes chronic.

Early diagnosis is the key to quick treatment with minimal damage to the liver. Many medications and diagnostic tools have been developed, so you should consult a doctor at the first suspicion of hepatitis C.

Prevention measures

Measures to prevent the development of influenza include the following:

• Maintain personal hygiene standards, thoroughly wash your hands with soap after visiting public places.
• Limit contact with sick people. If they cannot be avoided, then gauze protective masks should be used.
• Wearing a sterile mask in crowded places, especially during flu epidemics.
• Boosting immunity. To increase the body's resistance to pathogenic microorganisms, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, exercise, take more vitamins, and harden yourself.
• Regular ventilation of the room and wet cleaning.
• Taking immunostimulants (if necessary).

How the flu is not transmitted.

Influenza viruses are not transmitted through food. Properly prepared foods, including pork and chicken, are safe to eat. There have also been no cases of influenza infection through drinking water. Special studies have shown that the level of free chlorine used to purify drinking water is sufficient to inactivate the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. When water is boiled, all influenza viruses are quickly destroyed. There have been no recorded cases of influenza infection through tap water in swimming pools, baths, or spas. But bathing and swimming areas are public places, so it is possible for the flu virus to be passed from one person to another through coughing and sneezing. You can also become infected here by first touching objects on which the virus is located, and then your mouth, nose, and eyes.

Risk groups for sexual transmission

The main method of transmission of the virus is blood, but a small concentration of it is contained in semen and saliva, so unprotected sexual contact with a patient (even oral sex), if the oral mucosa is damaged, can lead to infection.

The most dangerous risk group are those who are promiscuous, homosexuals, prostitutes and those who use their services. Couples who practice anal sex, due to virtually guaranteed damage to the sphincter, are also at increased risk.

Those who have had or are currently suffering from sexually transmitted diseases have a weakened immune system and are highly susceptible to hepatitis C. Particularly noteworthy is the high risk of sexual infection in people with HIV.