VIRAL HEPATITIS Flashcards
What is Hepatitis A?
Inflammation of the liver caused by a RNA virus with a faecal-oral spread
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?
Fatigue Sudden nausea and vomiting Clay-coloured bowel Loss of appetite Low-grade fever Dark urine
What are the signs of hepatitis A?
Hepatomegaly RUQ pain Joint pain Jaundice Pruritus
What are risk factors of Hepatitis A?
Endemic area
Close personal contact with infected person
Men-to-men sex
Childcare workers
IV illegal drugs users
How is Hepatitis A investigated?
LFT: high AST, ALT, and Bilirubin
IgM/IgG anti-HAV: positive
U&E: renal failure
How is HAV treated?
With plenty of fluids, abstaining from sex, alcohol and maintaining good hygiene
HAV resolves itself after 6months
Which virus does HEV present like?
HAV
What is HBV?
A serious infection caused by DNA virus sexually and vertically transmitted
What is the symptoms of HBV?
Usually Asymptomatic
Fatigue Sudden Nausea and vomiting Loss of appetite Low-grade fever Dark urine Clay-coloured stools
What are the signs of HBV?
Hepatomegaly RUQ pain Jaundice Splenomegaly Pruritus Joint pain
What are the risk factors of HBV?
Antenatal exposure Multiple sexual partners Men-to-men sex IV drug users Family History of HBV Travel to endemic region
Which blood tests would you do for HBV?
LFT: high AST, ALT, ASP, Bilirubin; low Albumin
U&E: hyponatraemia, high urea
HBV DNA/SURFACE ANTIGENS: positive
What do the different HBV antigens mean?
HBsAg: surface antigen present 1-6months after exposure
HBeAg: DNA antigen indicates high infectivity
ab-HBcAg: implies past infection
ab-HBsAg: implies vaccination
What is the indication of chronic HBV?
HBsAg lasting more than 6months
How is acute HBV managed?
It resolves itself
Interferon may be prescribed to boast immune system
How is chronic HBV treated?
Antiviral therapy - entecavir or tenofovir disoproxil
What is HCV?
A RNA flavivirus transmitted by blood, that causes liver inflammation and leads to serious liver damage
What are the symptoms of HCV?
Easy Bleeding and bruising Fatigue Sudden nausea and vomiting Loss of appetite Dark urine Pruritus
What are the signs of HCV?
Hepatomegaly Splenomegaly RUQ pain Joint pain Ascites
What are common risk factors of HCV?
Unsafe medical practice
IV or intranasal drug users
History of blood transfusion or organ transplant
What are the blood tests to investigate HCV?
LFT - high ALP, high ALT and AST
ANTI-HCV AB: positive - current or past infection
HCV-PCR: positive - current infection
How is HCV managed?
Ribavirin (antiviral therapy for 24-48weeks)
Interferon is given to boast immune system
Which viral hepatitis lead to chronic hepatitis?
B and C
Which Viral Hepatitis is associated with Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis Delta (D)
