Viral Hepatitis Flashcards
What is the main clinical maifestation of hepatitis viruses
Cause liver disease
Why has there been a decline of acute Hep A
Due to vaccination and better housing
Who is most commonly diagnosed with Hep B
Ethnic minorities who acquired Hep B mostly outside of the UK
What has caused the rise in Hep E in recent years
A mix of cases acquired outside the Uk and cases acquired within the UK
How is Hep A transmitted?
Faecal-oral
Poor hygiene / overcrowding
What are the common clinical presentations of Hep A
Usually asymptomatic
In what population is there a peak incidence of symptomatic disease
Older children / young adults
How is Hep A confirmed
Lab confirmation
Clotted blood for serology - yellow top bottle
How effective is the vaccine prophylaxis
Good - gives long term protection but needs 10 days to take effect
How is Hep A controlled?
Through good hygiene - infected food handlers are excluded from the workplace
Where is Hep E most common
In the tropics
What is more common in the UK Hep A or Hep E
Now Hep E
How is Hep E transmitted
Faecal-oral
What other animals can have Hep E
Pigs, deer, rabbits
How can some humans become infected with Hep E?
If they are immunocompromised
When is Hep D found
In association with Hep B
What is the effect of Hep D
It exacerbates Hep B
How is Hep B transmitted? (3 ways)
Sex
Mother to child
Blood (IV drug users)
What happens to the risk of chronic infection with increasing age at exposure
Decreases
What happens to the risk of acute hepatitis as age increases at exposure
Increases
Where is there a high prevalence of Hep B and why?
Canada, Alaska and Greenland
Due to their indigenous communities
How is Hep B confirmed
Lab - surface antigen (HBsAg) present in blood
What is also likely to be present in recently infected cases
Hep B IgM
How can we acquire immunity of Hep B
Vaccine or past infection
