VIRAL HEPATITIS Flashcards
How many hepatitis viruses are known?
6
Hep A, B, C, D, E, and G (where is F??)
Other than the hepatitis viruses, what viruses can cause damage to the liver?
Cytomegalovirus
EBV
Yellow fever
Herpes viruses
What is the most common type of hepatitis virus worldwide?
Hepatitis A
What age group is most commonly affected by hepatitis A?
Young
What is the method of transmission of hepatitis A?
Faecal-oral route
Contaminated water or shellfish
What does the icteric phase refer to, with regard to hepatitis?
The time when the patient is jaundiced.
What are the symptoms of the prodromal phase (early stages) of hepatitis A infection?
Nausea Vomiting Diarrhoea Headache Mild fever Malaise Abdominal discomfort
How does hepatitis A affect smokers?
They have a sudden distaste for cigarettes.
How long after infection does the icteric (jaundiced) phase of hepatitis A occur?
10-14 days
How long does the icteric (jaundiced) phase in hepatitis A infection last for?
2-3 weeks
Other than jaundice, what are the symptoms of the icteric phase of hepatitis A infection?
Malaise and fatigue (which may persists for months)
Hepatomegaly
Splenomegaly in 10%
What would give you a definitive diagnosis of on going hepatitis A infection?
Rising titre of anti-hep A IgM
Demonstration of viral particles in stools by electron microscopy
What in the blood might reflect previous exposure to hepatitis A infection?
Anti-hep A IgG
What would LFTs show in someone with an on going hepatitis infection?
Moderately raised AST and ALT (500-1000 IU/L) which normalise rapidly
With reference to the icteric (jaundiced) phase of hepatitis A infection, when is the disease most infectious?
Just before the onset of jaundice
What are the complications of hepatitis A and how frequent are they?
They are actually quite rare
Myocarditis Arthritis Vasculitis Fulminant hepatic failure (very rare) Can precipitate autoimmune hepatitis
Does hepatitis A infection ever become chronic?
No and infact previous sufferers have lifelong immunity
How are patients with on going hepatitis A infection managed?
Treatment is supportive and hospital admission is not necessary in most cases.
Antiemetics for nausea
IV fluids in vulnerable patients (elderly)
Analgesia for headaches
Maintain calorie intake
Avoid alcohol
What is the incidence of symptomless hepatitis B infected individuals in the UK and USA?
0.1%
What is the method of transmission of hepatitis B?
Bodily fluid, mostly blood
Contaminated blood products IV drug user Sexual transmission Vertical transmission (at birth) - most common worldwide (Mosquitoes are possible)
Is hepatitis B transmitted by breast feeding?
No
What is the basic structure of the hepatitis B virus?
An inner nucleocapsid surrounded by an outer envelope of surface protein.
Is hepatitis B infection acute or chronic?
It can be either or it can be symptomless (carrier)
What is the incubation time of hepatitis B?
60-160 days
What are the symptoms of the prodromal phase (early stages) of acute hepatitis B infection?
Very non-specific
Arthralgia
Anorexia
Abdominal discomfort