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Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
About me
Dr. Zhang Jiankang, attending physician, master's degree graduate. Dr. Zhang has a high level of expertise in the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. He excels in managing and treating difficult and critically ill infectious diseases, and has extensive clinical experience in the rational use of antibiotics.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, hepatitis cirrhosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, spontaneous peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy, AIDS, unexplained fever, unexplained liver damage, secondary pulmonary tuberculosis, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, chickenpox, hand-foot-mouth disease, measles, rubella, etc.
Voices
Which department is for viral hepatitis?
Patients with viral hepatitis generally seek treatment at the department of infectious diseases, which was previously dedicated to diseases like viral hepatitis and other infectious illnesses. In recent years, many major hospitals have renamed this department to the department of infection, which not only deals with infectious diseases but also treats various other infections. Therefore, treatment for viral hepatitis should be sought either in the department of infectious diseases or the department of infection. Viral hepatitis mainly comprises infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. These infectious diseases require proper diagnosis and treatment, as failure to treat them timely can lead to complications like liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. For some chronic forms of viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and C, the contagion is relatively stronger, and if not treated promptly, it can lead to the spread of hepatitis.
How is viral hepatitis treated?
The treatment of viral hepatitis mainly depends on the type of pathogen causing the hepatitis. Generally, treatment includes the patient being encouraged to rest and pay attention to their diet, which should be light and consist of smaller, more frequent meals. Additionally, medical treatment primarily involves the use of hepatoprotective and enzyme-lowering drugs, and if there is evident jaundice or dark urine, medications to reduce jaundice may be used. Most importantly, the treatment should address the cause of the disease. If hepatitis A or E causes acute jaundice-type hepatitis, it is self-limiting and does not require long-term antiviral treatment. However, if hepatitis B or C causes chronic hepatitis, or if there is already liver cirrhosis, it is essential to undertake antiviral treatment targeting the cause. Timely antiviral treatment can help prevent further progression of the disease. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)
Is viral hepatitis contagious?
Viral hepatitis is primarily a contagious liver disease, mainly including hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, and others. There are also liver impairments caused by viruses other than these, which also fall under the category of viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is contagious, and its transmission routes vary by type. For example, the main transmission route for both hepatitis A and E, which are caused by the hepatitis A and E viruses, is fecal-oral, i.e., through the digestive tract. The primary transmission route for hepatitis B is through blood and bodily fluids, and mother-to-child transmission is also an important pathway for the spread of hepatitis B. The transmission route for hepatitis C mainly involves blood transfusions or blood products. Thus, the pathways of infection differ for each type of hepatitis.
Is viral hepatitis contagious?
Viral hepatitis refers to liver function impairment caused by viral infection, which is generally contagious. Common pathogens include Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, etc. Among these, Hepatitis A and E are enterically transmitted diseases, mainly spread through fecal-oral transmission; consuming contaminated food can lead to the spread of hepatitis. For Hepatitis B, common transmission routes include mother-to-child transmission and transmission through blood and body fluids. If a mother has Hepatitis B, it is essential to perform mother-to-infant blocking during childbirth. As for Hepatitis C, the main transmission routes are through transfusions or blood products. If the patient is undergoing dialysis or requires blood transfusion treatment, there is a significant risk factor, categorizing them as a high-risk group.
What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis?
The symptoms of viral hepatitis mainly manifest as symptoms of liver function impairment. Patients may experience fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, discomfort in the upper abdomen, yellowing of the eyes, and dark urine, among other discomforts. Some patients may initially think it is stomach discomfort and thus visit the gastroenterology department, only later to find out through liver function tests that it is viral hepatitis. In addition to these symptoms, viral hepatitis can present other symptoms. For example, in cases of chronic viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and C, patients may exhibit features like chronic liver disease facies, spider angiomas, and palmar erythema. If these symptoms appear, it is essential to visit a hospital promptly to determine the extent of liver function damage and identify the specific cause of the liver damage. Only by identifying the cause can the treatment be effectively administered.
What department should I go to for viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis refers to liver inflammation caused by hepatitis viruses, such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, which lead to liver function impairment. Generally, the liver inflammation caused by these viruses is infectious. Thus, viral hepatitis is treated in the department of infectious diseases. However, if secondary hospitals or other general hospitals do not have such specific subdivisions, patients with viral hepatitis can also visit the department of gastroenterology. Currently, many infectious diseases departments are also called departments of contagion. It is one and the same department, and if there is no department of infectious diseases, one must visit either the department of contagion or gastroenterology for treatment.
Can viral hepatitis cause diarrhea?
Patients with viral hepatitis, due to abnormal liver function, may experience symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal bloating after eating. Generally, viral hepatitis does not cause diarrhea. However, for some patients with viral hepatitis, there may be a yellowing of the urine and a whitening of the stool color. This condition may be due to symptoms caused by bile stasis. Therefore, for patients with viral hepatitis, diarrhea is generally not expected, but changes in the color and characteristics of the stool may occur. If a patient with viral hepatitis experiences symptoms like yellowing of the eyes, dark urine, especially if the stool color becomes white, it is important to seek timely medical attention, as jaundice may be present.
How to recover from liver damage caused by viral hepatitis?
Most liver damage caused by viral hepatitis is recoverable. Viral hepatitis is mainly categorized into acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver failure, cholestatic hepatitis, and cirrhosis due to hepatitis. Among these, acute hepatitis generally only requires symptomatic treatment. If patients rest adequately and maintain a light diet, they can fully recover back to normal after timely treatment; for chronic hepatitis, in addition to the symptomatic treatments mentioned, antiviral treatment should also be considered. If chronic hepatitis is not well managed, cirrhosis may develop. Patients with cirrhosis tend to have relatively severe liver damage and are prone to recurrence, making the treatment less effective. In critical cases, such as patients with liver failure, the liver damage is very severe, and the treatment and prognosis are generally poorer.
Is viral hepatitis hereditary?
Viral hepatitis is not hereditary, but it is a contagious disease, and the risk of transmission is relatively high if living together. Among them, hepatitis A and hepatitis E are types of acute hepatitis, which are self-limiting, so they do not significantly affect the next generation. However, liver damage caused by viruses such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C and liver inflammation may lead to disease in the next generation. If maternal and neonatal transmission is effectively blocked, then the risk of disease can be greatly reduced. Nowadays, most standard hospitals can perform maternal and neonatal blockade. Therefore, it is crucial for pregnant women to have regular medical check-ups and pre-pregnancy screenings to reduce the risk of transmitting to the next generation.
Do you need a blood transfusion for viral hepatitis?
The treatment of viral hepatitis generally does not require blood transfusion. The primary treatment methods for viral hepatitis include ensuring plenty of rest, eating smaller and more frequent meals, and paying attention to diet. Additionally, medications that protect the liver, reduce enzyme levels, and alleviate jaundice can be used. For viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis B or C, formal antiviral treatment is also necessary. If liver damage is extremely severe, leading to liver failure and very high bilirubin levels, artificial liver treatment can be administered. Artificial liver treatment is of two types: one is plasma exchange, commonly referred to as a blood transfusion, and the other is protein adsorption; both of these methods are relatively effective.