Hepatitis Flashcards
What is the route of transmission of Hep A and E?
oral-fecal/traveling to endemic areas (A = ate and E = eat) => both are always acute infections (E and A go away, B and C stay with me)
What is the route of transmission of Hep B and D?
blood, unprotected sex, mother-to-baby => Hep D only seen with Hep B (Hep D virus cannot survive without Hep B)
What are the risk factors for Hep B and D?
unprotected sex and IV drug use
What are the sequelae of Hep B infection?
can be acute (mild) or chronic (depends on age at which Hep B acquired) => risk for cirrhosis (20% in those infected 20 years or more) and hepatocellular carcinoma (2% risk/year)
What are the risk factors for Hep C?
blood (unprotected sex and mother-to-baby extremely rare)
What are the risk groups for Hep C?
IV drug users, health care workers
What are the sequelae of Hep C infection?
85% will have chronic infection => risk for cirrhosis (20% in those infected 20 years or more) and hepatocellular carcinoma (2% risk/year)
What are the clinical manifestations of acute hepatitis?
=> may be completely asymptomatic
=> in severe cases: fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, nausea/vomiting, abdominal discomfort, low grade fever, arthralgia
=> signs: jaundice, scleral icterus, dark urine, pale stool (bile duct unable to drain bilirubin), liver tenderness, hepatomegaly
What are the clinical manifestations of chronic hepatitis?
=> may be completely asymptomatic
=> mild symptoms: fatigue, abdominal discomfort, “fullness”, anorexia
=> severe symptoms (decompensated cirrhosis): jaundice, esophageal varices, palmar erythema, spider angioma, ascites, gynecomastia
How is the diagnosis of cirrhosis made?
histologically (it is not a clinical diagnosis) - tissue will never return to normal
What is the cause of portal HTN with liver disease?
cirrhosis causes resistance to blood flow (scarring makes the liver hard), which increases hydrostatic pressure in the portal vein and an increase in fluids in the abdomen
What causes ascites?
increase in hydrostatic pressure due to cirrhosis, coupled with a decrease in oncotic pressure (3rd space fluid shift)
What is ascites?
extra fluid in the abdomen
How do you test for ascites?
PT seated - will note bulging of lower abdomen (inspection), fluid wave (with palpation), shifting dullness at lower abdomen and tympany above (on percussion) => with PT on side, dullness shifts with gravity
What is caput medusae?
dilation of collateral veins of abdomen with ascites
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
an acute complication of decompensated liver failure - liver is unable to convert ammonia to urea => ammonia accumulates in the system and causes cerebral toxicity
What is the work up for suspected hepatitis?
travel Hx, review risk factors, alcohol consumption, review medications, Hx of diabetes/obesity/hyperlipidemia, LFTs, bilirubin, hepatitis serology (A/B/C), CMV serology, Epstein-Barr serology
What does presence of IgM for Hep A (IgM anti-HAV) indicate?
acute liver disease - especially first 6 weeks after infection => ALT will be elevated, IgG anti-HAV steadily increases
What do the following lab results suggest: (+) anti-HAV IgM, (+) anti-HAV IgG?
acute/active disease (around 5-7 weeks after infection)
What do the following lab results suggest: (+) anti-HAV IgM, (-) anti-HAV IgG?
acute/active disease (early infection - around 1-3 weeks after infection)
What do the following lab results suggest: (-) anti-HAV IgM, (+) anti-HAV IgG?
successful HAV vaccination or natural resolution of Hep A
What is HBsAg?
Hep B surface antigen (protein) - it is the first type of serology detected in the blood after infection => ALWAYS indicates active infection and NEVER found at the same time as surface antibodies (anti-HBs)