Hepatitis Flashcards
Specific examples of hep A transmission?
Contaminated food and water - shellfish
Poor sanitation
What are the prodromal symptoms of hep A and E?
Nausea, anorexia, headaches, arthralgias
Vomiting and or diarrhoea
Fever possibly
What happens to smokers during Hep A prodromal period?
Lose taste for tobacco
What does the prodromal phase of hep A progress onto?
Icteric phase - jaundice (obstructive type), hepatosplenomegaly lymphadenopathy, pruritis, RUQ pain
Can get vasculitis type rash on lower limbs
Investigations for Hep A?
Anti HAV IgM, IgG
How long can recovery take for hep A?
Up to 6m
What type of virus is HBV?
DNA virus
How is hep A transmitted?
Fecal oral
Blood transfusions before what year are significant?
1991
What 3 features, if present, are more prominent in HBV than HAV?
Jaundice
Rash
Arthralgias
What test results indicate acute HBV infection?
HBsAg
HBeAg
Anti-HBc IgM
Anti-HBc IgG
What test results indicate a recovered HBV infection?
Anti-HBs
Anti-HBc IgG
What test results indicate someone who is vaccinated against HBV?
Anti-HBs
What is given for the HBV vaccine?
Anti-HBs
What differentiates someone who is immune from HBV due to cleared infection to someone immune due to vaccination?
Both have +ve anti-HBs
Someone who has had the infection will also have anti-HBc IgG
What results would indicate someone with chronic HBV infection?
HBsAg
Anti-HBc IgG
What marker can be used in acute HBV infection to assess severity and treatment response?
HBV-DNA (PCR)
What HBV test is used for screening?
HBsAg
2 methods of detection of HCV infection? Which is acute and which is chronic?
HCV-RNA detectable via PCR during acute phase
Anti-HCV Abs detectable during chronic phase
What proportion of people with acute HCV infection go on to develop chronic infection?
2/3
Rx for chronic HCV?
PEG interferon alpha
Ribavirin
+/- triple therapy
Which hepatitis infections is it possible to vaccinate against?
HAV
HBV (and indirectly HDV)
What are the 2 types of infection with HBV + HDV?
Co-infection (more severe HBV infection)
Superinfection (reactivation of chronic HBV)
What risks does HDV infection add to HBV infection?
Increased risk fulminant hepatitis and liver failure
How is Hep E spread? (With specific examples)
Fecal oral
Pork, deer
Bodily fluids
Generally what methods are used in detection of non-HBV viral hepatitis?
RNA serology (PCR)
In what group of people does HEV infection present a 25% mortality rate?
Pregnant women
