Infection: Hepatitis B and C

Question 1

Who is at risk of hepatitis?

Answer 1

Vertical transmission in endemic areas
IV drug users at very high risk - 1:3 risk with hep B and 1:30 risk with hep C
Sexual contact with partner with hepatitis

Question 2

What are the symptoms of acute hep B?

How likely is it to become chronic?

Answer 2

Jaundice, fatigue, abdo pain, nausea and vom

becomes chronic in 6-10% of infection

Question 3

What are the complications of chronic hep B?

Answer 3

25% of cases leads to cirrhosis

5% will develop hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer)

Question 4

What is the treatment for Hep B?

Answer 4

There is no cure - if acute have to wait to see if it self limits
If chronic have to have life long anti virals to suppress replication

Question 5

How likely is it than acute Hep V infection becomes chronic?

Answer 5

80% of people become chronically infected

Question 6

What are the symptoms of Hep C?

Answer 6

80% are asymptomatic

Fatigue, anorexia, dark urine, nausea, abdo pain

Question 7

What is the treatment of hep C?

Answer 7

It can be cured!!
8-12 week course of antiviral drug combo has >90% chance of cure

However costs £50K per course and can still get reinfected