Hepatitis

Question 1

Which hepatitis are enteric, how are they acquired and what extent of disease do they cause

Answer 1

A & E

Through food and water, causing acute self limiting disease

Question 2

Which hepatitis are parenteral, how are they acquired and what extent of disease do they cause

Answer 2

B, C & D

Through blood, cause chronic disease

Question 3

How does hep A typically begin and what does it lead to

Answer 3

Starts with fever and malaise.

Progresses to jaundice weeks later.

Question 4

How is hep A transmitted

Answer 4

Faecal-oral
Blood
Sexual

Question 5

How is hep A diagnosed

Answer 5

Presence of IgM antibodies

Question 6

State what the presence of the following antigens indicates:

1. Hep surface antigen HBsAg
2. Hep E antigen HBeAg
3. Hep core antigen HBcAg
4. HBV DNA

Answer 6

1. Indicates presence of virus

2-4. Indicates active replication

Question 7

What does the core gene do in HBV

Answer 7

It produces antigen E for the shell to prevent host attack of virus

Question 8

Function of HBV Antibodies:

1. Anti-HB’s
2. IgM Anti-HBc
3. IgG Anti-HBc
4. Anti-HBe

Answer 8

1. Protection
2. Acute Infection
3. Chronic Infection
4. Inactive virus

Question 9

What is the first approach to HBV infection

Answer 9

Test for HBsAg

• if positive check IgM presence for acute or chronic infection
• if negative, give vaccine

Question 10

Treatment for chronic hep B

Answer 10

Pegylated interferon

Oral Antivirals

Question 11

What is the commonest mode of acquisition for hep C

Answer 11

IVDA

Question 12

How may hep c present

Answer 12

Only small number present with jaundice, most are asymptomatic until cirrhotic

Question 13

What type of virus is HCV

Answer 13

RNA virus with outer capsule envelope

Question 14

When will a person be infected with HBD

Answer 14

Only present if co-infection with HBV

Question 15

What is the commonest mode of acquisition of Hep E

Answer 15

Faecal oral route spread by pigs (pork)