Hepatitis

Question 1

what is the relevance of Hepatitis globally and in the UK?

Answer 1

• more people live with hepatitis than HIV worldwide
• develop end stage liver disease

Question 2

what are the general principles of hepatitis infection?

Answer 2

• hepatitis viruses specifically target the liver and they replicate specifically in hepatocytes
• 5 known viruses A-E
• Hep A is most common but there is a vaccine for it so there are little long-term consequeneces
• Hep B + C are the blood borne viruses - mild symptoms and you dont know you have it so you can spread it

Question 3

what LFT results indicate hepatitis infection?

Answer 3

viral hepatitis results in intrahepatic jaundice (issue arises within the liver)
ALT or AST are elevated it tells us there is hepatocyte damage is intrahepatic

Question 4

how is hepatitis B transmitted?

Answer 4

mostly vertical but also through sexual contact

Question 5

what are the main symptoms of hepatitis B?

Answer 5

• jaundice
• fatigue
• abdominal pain
• nausea

Question 6

how can you test for hepatitis B?

Answer 6

serology to detect following antibodies (HbsAg + HBsAb or HBeAg + HBeAb)
HBV DNA PCR test

Question 7

what is classed as chronic hepatitis infection?

Answer 7

persistence of HBsAg after 6 months

Question 8

how is hepatitis B prevented?

Answer 8

Hep B vaccine is given to babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks old

Question 9

how is hepatitis C transmitted?

Answer 9

most commonly in IV drug users
low levels of risk through sexual contact + mother to child

Question 10

how is hepatitis C detected?

Answer 10

serology - presence of anti-hep C antibodies
PCR testing

Question 11

how is hepatitis C treated?

Answer 11

antiviral drugs for 8-12 weeks
(risk of re-infection since no vaccine)