Is liver cirrhosis with ascites contagious?

Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 04, 2024
00:00
00:00

Liver cirrhosis in the decompensated stage with ascites present is not inherently contagious. Whether the condition is infectious depends not on the severity of liver function, the degree of liver cirrhosis, or the gravity of ascites, but rather on the underlying cause of the liver cirrhosis. For example, liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol consumption is not contagious. However, if the liver cirrhosis is due to viral hepatitis, such as commonly seen with hepatitis B or C, the condition can be infectious. Therefore, the presence of ascites or liver cirrhosis itself is not an indicator of infectiousness; the crucial factor is whether there is an infectious virus present.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
41sec home-news-image

Can alcoholic cirrhosis be contagious?

Cirrhosis caused by hepatitis formed by alcohol is not contagious in clinical settings. Contagious cirrhosis generally refers to viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B, C, and E, which are infectious. Alcoholic cirrhosis, primarily caused by drinking, is not caused by viruses; hence, alcohol does not facilitate transmission between people. The common transmission modes involve fecal-oral routes, for instance, through blood and bodily fluids in hepatitis A and B. In contrast, alcoholic liver disease is relatively safe, so there is no need to worry about it being contagious.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
50sec home-news-image

Does a decreasing platelet count in cirrhosis indicate that the condition is getting more severe?

Liver cirrhosis with increasingly low platelet counts indicates that the condition is becoming more severe. This decline in platelets suggests a more advanced stage of liver cirrhosis, manifesting as significant splenic hyperfunction and splenomegaly. Patients with liver cirrhosis and decreasing platelets may experience spontaneous bleeding, which requires attention. If necessary, surgical intervention such as splenectomy or splenic embolization may be required, along with platelet transfusion treatment. For complications associated with liver cirrhosis, further refinements in gastroscopic examination are needed to determine the presence of portal hypertensive gastropathy or esophagogastric varices. If varices are present, prophylactic banding or sclerotherapy may be needed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
51sec home-news-image

What foods are good for cirrhosis?

The usual diet plays a crucial role for patients with cirrhosis, and it has been confirmed that nutritional therapy is very important for reducing mortality and disability rates in patients with cirrhosis. Generally speaking, easily digestible, high-vitamin nutritional foods should be the main source of food, alcohol must be strictly prohibited, and consumption of vegetables and fruits should be increased. Salt intake can be controlled, and adjustments should be made according to different changes in the condition. Another point to note is that patients with esophageal and gastric varices must avoid consuming hard and rough food, as this could lead to rupture of the varices and cause severe bleeding.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
56sec home-news-image

How to treat splenomegaly and liver cirrhosis?

Once liver cirrhosis is detected, accompanied by an enlarged spleen and hyperactive spleen function, this condition can be addressed through interventional methods to resolve issues of spleen enlargement and hyperfunction. This reduces the destruction of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The interventional approach primarily involves sterile necrosis and absorption of the spleen, thus resolving spleen issues. As for treating liver cirrhosis, it is primarily important to understand the causes of the cirrhosis. If the cirrhosis is caused by a virus, antiviral treatment is needed. There are corresponding antiviral medications for cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and C. If the cirrhosis is caused by alcohol, it is essential to abstain from alcohol as part of the treatment. In addition, medications that combat liver cirrhosis should be used.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
51sec home-news-image

What should I do about 7 episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding due to cirrhosis?

There are manifestations of cirrhosis, and it is accompanied by upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which occurs frequently. At this time, a gastroscopy should be conducted, in combination with an ultrasound examination of the liver, to determine whether portal hypertension is causing the bleeding. If the condition is serious, surgical treatment, such as disconnection or shunting, may be needed to relieve the pressure on the portal vein and mitigate the bleeding. Alternatively, vascular ligation can also be performed under gastroscopy to ligate the ruptured vessels, which can also stop the bleeding. Otherwise, long-term repeated heavy bleeding can easily lead to hemorrhagic anemia, and in severe cases, it can cause hemorrhagic shock, posing a life-threatening risk.