Hepatitis Self-Learning Guide Flashcards
What is the most obvious sign of hepatitis?
Jaunice with liver tenderness
True or false:
Viral hepatitis is a disease which should be notified to public health
True
What are the four presentations of viral hepatitis?
Subclinical illness Anicteric illness (symptoms but no jaundice) Icteric illness (symptoms with jaundice) Fulminant hepatitis (severe jaundice w hepatic failure & high mortality)
What will biochemistry Ix show in acute hepatitis infection?
Raised ALT and AST (which are released into serum in xs by damaged hepatocytes)
How does hepatitis A often present?
Usually mild/subclinical or anicteric in children under 5
Severity increases with age
What is the incubation period of Hep A?
28d
What are the symptoms of Hep A?
Fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, upper ab pain
Jaundice and darkening of urine develop later due to presence of unconjugated bilirubin
What is the transmission of Hep A?
Faecal-oral
In which groups of people are outbreaks of HAV more common?
MSM
IVDA
What kind of virus is HAV?
Picornavirus (small RNA virus)
What is the serology of someone with HAV like?
HAV IgM antibodies usually present at onset of symptoms & decline to non-detectable levels after 3-6m
What is the serology of someone who has had HAV in the past like?
Anti-HAV IgG antibodies present (reflecting immunity)
What is the treatment of HAV infection?
Supportive
How can HAV be prevented?
Good hygiene and sanitation
HAV vaccine
What is usually used as prophylaxis for close contacts for those with HAV?
Human normal Ig (which gives immediate passive protection for about 4m)
What kind of vaccine is HAV?
Killed
Who should be vaccinated against HAV?
Sewage workers, seronegative haemophiliacs, MSM with multiple partners, travellers to endemic areas, PWID, chronic liver disease, HIV patients
What is the prognosis of Hep A infection?
Usually good
No chronic liver damage
What are uncommon complications of Hep A infection?
Prolonged cholestatic jaundice
Relapsing hepatitis
Haematological problems, e.g. aplastic anaemia
What is the incubation period of Hep B?
Few weeks-6m
What are the symptoms of acute Hep B infection?
Anorexia, lethargy, nausea, fever, ab discomfort, arthralgia,
Later - urticarial skin lesions, dark urine, jaundice
What is the mechanism of acute hepatitis (HBV)?
Believed to be immune mediated - the greater the antibody/antigen reaction the more severe the hepatitis
How do children tend to present with HBV?
Neonates - asymptomatic
Subclinical/anicteric infection most common in childhood
Clinical disease increases with age
1% of patients with HBV infection develop what?
Fulminating hepatitis with DIC and encephalopathy
What is the course of HBV infection in most patients?
Full recovery and clearance of infection
What kind of virus is Hep B?
Hepadnavirus
What are the three viral forms of HBV seen in blood?
Infectious viral particles
Non-infectious spheres
Tubules which consist of Hep B surface antigen
Where is the Hep B core antigen found?
In the core/nucleocapsid