Hepatitis Flashcards
What are the causes of hepatitis?
- Autoimmune
- NAFLD (NASH)
- Viral Hepatitis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Drug induced hepatitis (Paracetamol OD)
How does hepatitis present?
Asymptomatic or Non-specific:
- Fatigue
- Abdo pain
- Pruritis
- Muscle and joint aches
- N&V
- Jaundice
- Fever
What are the typical LFT findings in hepatitis
‘Hepatic Picture’:
- Raised transaminases
- ALP not as raised
- Raised bilirubin
When are transaminases released?
When the liver is inflamed
What is the most common viral hepatitis worldwide?
Hep A- but not very common in the UK
How does HepA spread?
Faecal-Oral
How does HepA present?
- N&V
- Anorexia
- Jaundice
How does HepA resolve?
Self-resolves in 1-3 months
How is HepA treated?
Analgesia
What can HepA cause?
Cholestasis
- Pale stools
- Dark urine
- Mild hepatomegaly
What should you do once discovering any viral hepatitis?
Notify public health
How does HepB spread?
Vertically or with Bodily fluids:
- Sex
- IVDU
- Contaminated household products e.g. toothbrush
How long does it take people to recover from HepB?
2 months
How many HepB sufferers go on to be chronic carriers and why?
10%- virus’ DNA integrates into the host DNA, so viral proteins produced
What does Surface antigen (HBsAg) indicate?
Active infection
What does E antigen (HBeAg) indicate?
High infectivity
What does Core antibodies (HBcAb) indicate?
Past infection (Or current)
What does Surface antibody (HBsAb) indicate?
Vaccination (Or infection)
What does Hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) indicate?
Viral load
When screening for hepatitis, which tests are done first?
- Surface antigen
- Core antibody
(Current or previous infection)
If the first hepatitis screen is positive, which tests follow?
- e Antigen
- Viral load
(Is it actively replicating and how much is there)
Which immunoglobulin indicates active infection?
IgM
Which immunoglobulin indicates previous infection?
IgG
What is in the HepB vaccine?
Surface Antigen
