Viral Hepatitis Flashcards
What are the features of hepatitis
Nausea Vomiting Right upper quadrant pain Jaundice Pruritus Dark urine Fever, fatigue
What does chronic hepatitis cause?
Long term inflammation of the liver leads to cirrhosis Ascites Varices Clotting abnormalities Peripheral oedema Jaundice
How does platelet count change with liver disease?
Platelet count decreases
Note- variceal bleeds rarely occur in patients with a normal platelet count
What is the route of transmission of Hep A?
Faecal and oral
Does Hepatitis A cause an acute or chronic hepatitis?
It causes an acute hepatitis
How can hepatitis A be prevented?
Vaccination
What antibody shows previous infection with hep A?
IgG
IgM shows initial infection
What kind of hepatitis does Hep E cause?
Chronic and acute (in immunocompromised individuals)
Usually resolves within a few weeks but can be chronic and more severe in immunocompromised people
How is hepatitis E transmitted?
Faecal oral route
What kind of hepatitis does Hep B cause?
Acute and chronic
What is the transmission of hep B?
Blood and bodily fluids
Explain the hepatitis B serology results
Hep B Surface Antigen- Marker of virus being
Hep B Surface Antigen Antibody- Marker of previous infection or vaccination
Hep B Core Antigen- Marker of infection
Hep B Core Antibody- Marker of previous infection
Hep B E antigen- Marker of viral replication rate
IgM is marker acute, IgG is a marker of the adaptive immune response so is not raised in initial infection
What are some of the treatment options for HBV?
Similar to HIV with use of retroviral therapies
Nucleoside or nucleotide analogues- Entecavir, Tenofovir
Interferons
What is an important complication of HBV?
Cirrhosis leading to HCC
Check AFP, regular USS, Upper GI endoscopy, Fibroscan, LFT monitoring
Explain the difference between compensated and decompensated cirrhosis
Individuals decompensate when symptoms develop:
Ascites
Jaundice
Varices
