Epidemiology of Hepatitis - Alkan

Question 1

Hepatitis A vs. Hep B

Answer 1

A:

Short incubation, short course, rarely chronic, epidemic (outbreaks), fecal contamination of food, AuAg-

B:

Long incubation, long course, more commonly chronic, endemic (sporadic long term disease, year round in a certain area), transfusion related “serum hepatitis), AuAg+, only need a small inoculum to be infected.

Both induce immunity but not to each other.

Question 2

Hepatitis C: epidemiology, treatment

Answer 2

Common with HIV coinfection and in drug users.

Treated with interferon (injected protein) and Ribavirin:

Takes 6 months
Gives flu-like symptoms
50% response, and half of those will have recurrence (so 25% after 5 years)

Needs large inoculum for infection