Epidemiology of BBPs Flashcards
What is Hepatitis B?
infection of liver caused by hepatitis B virus
How is hepatitis B virus spread?
Infected body fluids like saliva, blood, vaginal fluids and semen
also passed from mother to baby
What is the duration of hepatitis B infection?
acute (short and severe) or long term (chronic)
What is the frequency of hepatitis B chronic infection?
when acquired in adulthood, Hepatitis B infection leads to chronic hepatitis in less than 5% of cases
infection in infancy and early childhood leads to chronic hepatitis in 95% of cases
How long can HBV survive outside the body?
at least 7 days
can still cause infection if it enters body of person who is not vaccinated
What is the incubation period of HBV?
30-180 days
How soon can HBV be detected?
within 30-60 days after infection
can persist and develop into chronic HBV
What are the symptoms of HBV infection?
most people do NOT experience any symptoms when newly infected
some with acute illness with symptoms that last several weeks:
yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
dark urine
very tired
nausea
vomiting
pain in the abdomen
What can severe infection with HBV cause?
acute hepatitis can lead to liver failure and death
What can chronic hepatitis B infection cause?
some people with chronic infection will develop progressive liver disease and complications like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
can be fatal
What does HBsAG neg, HBSAb neg and HBcAb neg mean
not immune - not protected
has not been infected and still at risk for possible hep B infection
What does HBsAb positive and HBcAb positive mean?
immune controlled - protected
surface antibodies present due to natural infection
has recovered from prior hep B infection
cannot infect others
no vaccine needed
What does only HBsAb positive mean?
immune - protected
Has been vaccinated
does not have virus and has never been infected
What does HBsAg positive and HBcAb positive mean?
active infection
What does HBcAb positive alone mean?
could be infected. more information needed
