Hepatitis A Flashcards
What is the causative agent of Hep A?
Picornavirus
What is the reservoir of Hep A causative agent?
Humans
How is Hep A transmitted?
Waterborne - virus is spread when an uninfected and unvaccinated person ingests food or water contaminated with faeces of an infected person
What are the risk groups of Hep A?
- International travelers
- childcare-givers
- persons with chronic liver disease
- injection drug users
What is the period of communicability of Hep A?
1-2 weeks before symptoms OR up until 1 week after onset of jaundice (yellow skin)
What are the symptoms of Hep A?
- none in some ppl (esp < 5y/o’s)
- mild symptoms - fever, anorexia, nausea, jaundice
Diagnosis methods of Hep A
Anti-IgM detected 5-10 days before symptoms
Treatment of Hep A
no specific treatment
Preventive methods of Hep A
- Vaccination of inactivated whole virus
* recommended for risk groups
What is the causative agent of Hep B?
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Method of transmission of Hep B
Through contact with blood / body fluids of infected person
Where is HBV found in highest concentration?
In blood, lower [] in body fluids (semen, vaginal secretion etc)
How long is the incubation period of HBV?
120 days
Symptoms of Hep B
not specific, can be
- malaise (general sense of illness)
- fever
- headache
- myalgia (muscle pain)
Complications of Hep B
chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis (impaired liver functioning, massive fluid build up in abdomen)
Diagnosis method of Hep B
searching for a number of different antigens and antibodies
Treatment for Hep B
acute - no medication, supportive treatment
chronic - medical evaluation, regular monitoring
Causative agent of Hep c
Hepatitis C Virus (flavivirus)
What is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the US?
Hepatitis C Virus infection
Method of transmission of HCV
Percutaneous
- injecting drug use
- transfusion, transplant from infected donor
- therapeutic (contaminated equipment etc)
- occupational (needle stick)
Per-mucosal
- perinatal
- sexual
Treatment / prevention of Hep C
- no vaccine :(
Causative agent of Hep D
HDV - incomplete virus that can’t survive on its own, requires:
- a protein that HBV makes to enable it to infect liver cells
- helper function of HBV to replicate
*hence, commonly occur among people infected with HBV
Transmission of HDV
Percutaneous / mucosal contact
Signs and Symptoms of Hep D
chronic - cirrhosis (sever liver scarring)
Prevention of Hep D
Vaccination against Hep B
Causative agent of Hep E
Hepatitis E Virus (many similarities with Hep A)
Transmission of HEV
contaminated water
Symptoms of Hep E
- little to no symptoms
OR symptoms that occur 15-60 days after viral exposure - fatigue
- poor appetite
- fever
- nausea
- jaundice (yellowing of skin, whites of eyes)
Preventive methods for Hep E
- vaccine (only available in China)
- good sanitation measures
- good personal hygiene
Which type of Hepatitis is transmitted through intestinal tract (enteric)?
Hepatitis E
