Viral Hepatitis Flashcards
Three main clinical presentations of Hepatitis
1) Acute
2) Chronic
3) Fulminant
Acute Viral Hepatitis Symptoms
1) Jaundice
2) Dark Urine
3) Acholic stool (light or clay-colored due to reduced bile production)
4) Prodrome (1-2 weeks prior to jaundice; Headache, myalgias, arthralgias, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pharyngitis, mild fever)
Acute Viral Hepatitis Biochemistry
1) Bilirubin Levels
>3 mg/dL Jaundice
Commonly 5-20 mg/dL
Bilirubin in urine = liver disease
2) Liver Enzymes
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- Elevation apparent as early as PRODROME PHASE
- Usually higher than that of other hepatitis causes
- May be up to 1000 U/L-ALT
Chronic Viral Hepatitis
- Hepatitis which DOES NOT resolve within 6 months
- Predisposes to hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis
Fulminant Viral Hepatitis
- RAPID, SEVERE hepatitis
- Massive hepatic NECROSIS
- Encephalopathy (CNS EFFECTS): confusion, disorientation, coma
- Edema
- Complications: cerebral edema, brainstem compression, GI bleeding, sepsis, organ failure
- LIVER TRANSPLANT can be lifesaving
Hepatitis A (Virus Family, Transmission, Chronic Infection)
Picornavirus, Fecal-Oral, No
Hepatitis B (Virus Family, Transmission, Chronic Infection)
Hepadnavirus, Body Fluids, Yes
Hepatitis C (Virus Family, Transmission, Chronic Infection)
Flavivirus, Body Fluids, Yes
Hepatitis D (Virus Family, Transmission, Chronic Infection)
Deltavirus, Body Fluids, Yes
Hepatitis E (Virus Family, Transmission, Chronic Infection)
Hepevirus, Fecal-Oral, No
Hepatitis A
Picornavirus Family \+ssRNA Fecal oral transmission Seroprevalence 30% All age groups susceptible, children usually ASYMPTOMATIC Incubation period ~28 days Resolution usually within 2 months ***DOES NOT cause chronic hepatitis*** Very rarely causes fulminant hepatitis
Hepatitis A (Diagnosis)
Acute Infection = IgM antibodies against HAV
Anti-HAV IgG antibodies protective immunity (will be present in patients who were PREVIOUSLY exposed)
Hepatitis A (Prevention)
- HAVRIX and VAQTA
- IM injection (2 dose schedule)
- Since 2005, ACIP recommends universal vaccination for all infants (12-23 months), as well as high risk adult groups
- Post-exposure Prophylaxis* (Vaccine or anti-HAV IgG antibodies)
Hepatitis B (Appearance)
Tubes and Spheres: Incomplete, Noninfectious particles (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen - HBsAg)
Dane Particles: Complete Virions (HBsAg, Hepatitis B Core Antigen - HBcAg, and HBeAg)
Hepatitis B (Characteristics)
Hepadnavirus Family
Partially dsDNA genome
REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION (via reverse transcriptase) is part of life cycle
NOT a Retrovirus