Hepatitis Flashcards
Why are hepatitis virus symptoms similar? Are they related?
Not closely related, but all infect hepatocytes so they have similar symptoms
What do hepatitis viruses cause? What is one of the treatments
acute hepatitis, supportive care
What are the routes of transmission for each of the hepatitis viruses?
A: fecal oral
B and C: sex, birth, blood
What is different about the control mechanisms of the types of Hep?
A and B can be controlled with vaccine, not C
How is hepatitis diagnosed? Describe the process for each of the hepatitis viruses.
serology:
A: IgM=acute, IgG=recovered/vaccinated
B: viral surfacr antigen=acute, IgG against viral surface antigen for recovered/vaccinated
C: EIA=real or false positive, RIBA=conformation
What is different about the disease history in Hep B and C from that on Hep A? How is this difference treated.
B and C can cause chronic hepatitis, leading to cirrohosis and/or cancer
treatment with polymerase inhibitors and IFN has many side effects, often ineffective
What are the new treatments for hepatitis? Are they effective?
New protease inhibitors are improving the treatment of serotype 1, but has its own side effects
What is one of the ways to alleviate liver failure in hepatitis infection? Why is this problematic? What can be done to alleviate the problem?
liver transplant; virus not cleared from secondary sites of infection can cause disease in new liver; short course of antivirals preceding LDLT may be the answer
What does the grueling treatment and uncertain prognosis for chronic Hep B and C infection mean for alternative medicine? What does this mean for physicians?
encourages alternative medicine; respectfully bit thoroughly determine what the patient is doing or consuming along with or instead or prescribed treatment.
