Viral hepatitis Flashcards
causes of viral hepatitis
Hep A-E
CMV
EBV
transmission of hep a
faecal
usually contaminated food e.g. shellfish or water
transmission of hep b
- paraenteral (through mucous membrane or skin: IVDU, tattoo, bites, cuts, sex)
- vertical
transmission of hep C
paraenteral
hep e transmission
faecal
which is the most common acute hepatitis
hep a
clinical features of viral hepatitis
N+V+D malaise abdo discomfort fever chosestatic jaundice
what is fulminant disease
sudden and quick deterioration which can end with death. rare in all hep viruses but most common in hep B (5%)
which hep viruses can cause chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis
hep a - NEVER
hep b and c can
where is HBV particularly found
africa
middle east
antibodies/antigens present in hepatitis B
HBsAg (hep b surface antigen)
HBcAg (hep b core antigen)
HBeAg (hep b e antigen)
HBsAb (hep b surface antibody)
which positive test means the person is infected with HBV and can spread the virus
HBsAg (hep b surface antigen)
this can be either an acute or chonic infection
what positive test shows that a person is protected against HBV
HBsAb (hep b surface antibody)
protected iether as result of vaccine or successfully recovering from past hep b infection
what test result indicates a past or current hep b infection
HBcAb. Appears at the onset of symptoms in acute
HBV and persists for life. The presence of anti-HBc indicates previous or ongoing
infection with HBV
when is HBeAg positive
6-12 weeks after acute illness
implies high infectivity
which antbody is diagnositic of acute infection
IGM antibody to HBcAg
rx hep b
no specific acute therapy. supportive (fluids antiemetics)
5% become chronic carriers
what can be given for itch
chlorphenamine
how is a chronic carrier of HBV defined?
serum HBsAg >6 months
who are given treatment for HBV
chronic carriers with HBeAg in serum (highly infections and greatest risk of devleoping chronic hepatis and cirrhosis)
what are patients with chronic hepatitis at increased risk of
hepatocellular carcinoma
drugs for chronic HBV or HCV
peginterformin alfa-2a
entecavir
tenofovir
is HCV acute or chonic?
either but often not detected till many years after infection through routine blood testing
can patients clear HCV spontaeneously
25% do after the acute stage (so 75% get chonic infection)
diagnosis of HCV
HCV antibodies
if positive, lood for HCV RNA
