Infections

Question 1

Viral hepatitis

Answer 1

All viral hepatitis are notifiable disease to UK health Security Agency

5 - 15% develop chronic hepatitis B
Treated, 10% develop chronic hepatitis C

Question 2

Presentating features in viral hepatitis

Answer 2

• Abdo pain
• Fatigue
• Flu-like illness
• Pruritus
• Muscle and joint aches
• N + V
• Jaundice

Question 3

Liver function tests in viral hepatitis

Answer 3

“Hepatitic picutre” = high transminases (AST and ALT), high bilirubin, less increase of ALP

Question 4

Key viral markers in hepatitis B

Answer 4

• Surface antigen (HBsAg) – active infection
• E antigen (HBeAg) – a marker of viral replication and implies high infectivity
• Core antibodies (HBcAb) – past (IgG) or current (IgM) infection
• Surface antibody (HBsAb) – implies vaccination or past or current infection
• Hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) – a direct count of the viral load