Hepatitis A Flashcards
Where 2 locations are you most likely to encounter hepatitis A in British Columbia?
Daycare centres and nursing homes.
What is the species that causes Hepatitis A?
Picornavirus.
What condition does Picornavirus cause and what is unique about it?
Causes Hepatitis A.
Very resistant to acid, detergents, freezing temperatures, can live in water and soil.
How is picornavirus (Hepatitis A) transmited?
Oral-fecal transmission.
About how long are you infectious with picornavirus (Hepatitis A)?
Approximately 2 weeks before symptoms and 1 week after jaundice.
What are the most common signs of Hepatitis A?
Jaundice, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, posterior cervical lymphadenopathy, dark urine, pale stools.
How long do the symptoms of Hepatitis A last for?
Aproximately 2 months.
How long would you expect liver enzymes to normalize following Hepatitis A?
2-3 months.
A patient with Hepatitis A has increased liver enzymes. Which enzymes would you expect to be most abnormal?
ALT
AST (usually less than ALT)
Bili
Alk phos usually normal or slightly elevated
Why should you test renal function when you are dealing with Hepatitis?
Hepatorenal syndrome.
Why is serology the preferred method to screen for Hepatitis A?
High sensitivity, but has moderate false positive rate.
What serology tests for acute and recovered Hepatitis A infection?
Acute: HAV-IgM
Recovered: HAV-IgG
What is the treatment for Hepatitis A?
No routine therapy recommended BUT Hepatitis A vaccination may be indicated within 2 weeks of exposure.
Who must you consult if you diagnose a case of Hepatitis A?
Public Health.
What should you recommend regarding prophylaxis for people who are close contacts of a person with Hepatitis A?
ImmunoCOMPETENT:Hepatitis A vaccine.
ImmunoSUPRESSED: immunoglobulin.
