Hepatitis

Question 1

Most obvious sign of hepatitis

Answer 1

Jaundice with hepatic tenderness

Question 2

Define an anicteric form of hepatitis

Answer 2

symptoms but no jaundice

Question 3

Define an icteric form of hepatitis

Answer 3

symptoms with jaundice

Question 4

Define fulminant hepatitis

Answer 4

severe jaundice with hepatic failure and high mortality

Question 5

Indications for antiviral therapy in HBV in those without cirrhosis are the presence of 2 out of the following 3 criteria

Answer 5

HBV DNA > 2,000 IU/ml
Raised ALT
Significant liver inflammation or fibrosis

Question 6

Passive immunisation can be provided by
the administration of hepatitis B speci c immunoglobulin (HBIG).

This is normally used in combination with hepatitis B vaccine to confer both active and passive immunity for what groups requiring post- exposure protection (3)

Answer 6

a. Infants born to mothers with chronic HBV infection or who are HBsAg positive following acute infection, and particularly if they are also HBeAg positive.
b. Health-care workers not known to have adequate levels of anti-HBs who are accidentally inoculated with, or have mucous membrane exposure to, HBsAg positive blood (e.g. needle-stick injuries).
c. Previously unprotected sexual contacts and family contacts of individuals who have acute or chronic HBV infection.