Session 8 - Hepatitis Flashcards
Define hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
How are Hep B and C spread
Bodily fluids
Which types of hepatitis leads onto chronic illness
B and C
What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis
Nausea, jaundice, stomach ache, poor appetite, fever, fatigue, GI upset, vomiting
What is the virus structure for hepatitis B
- double stranded DNA
- enveloped
What is the viral structure of hep C
- single stranded RNA
- enveloped
What is the viral structure for hepatitis A and E
- single stranded RNA
- non enveloped
What would the blood tests for bilirubin, ALT and ALP for a positive hepatitis result look like (liver function test)
Increased bilirubin - liver cant conjugate bilirubin properly so cant be excreted therefore builds up
Increased ALT - enzyme normally found inside hepatocytes but are released in damage. Indicates the degree of inflammation.
Slightly Increased ALP - enzyme found in bile ducts so an increase indicates blockage of bile duct (through inflammation)
What are the types of jaundice
prehaptic = increased haemoglobin breakdown
Cholestatic
- intrahepatic = bilirubin not conjugated so cant be excreted (hepatitis causes this)
- extrahepatic = gall bladder blocked
What happens to the albumin and coagulation factor levels in hepatitis
Decreased due to the liver damage
Who is most at risk of transmission of hep b
- vertical transmission is the highest risk
- sexual contact
- injecting drugs
- needlestick
What is the incubation period for hepatitis
6 weeks to 6 months
How common is it for hep b to become chronic
Rare - less than 10% of adults
Describe the order of the hepatitis B serology results
- surface antigen produced by virus appears first
- e-antigen then appears
- core antibody (IgM) appears
- e-antibody appears
- surface antibody then disappears last
- core antibody IgG persists for life
What is the definition of chronic hep b
Persistence of HBsAG after 6 months
What is the treatment for hep b
No cure as the virus integrates into the host genome so need anti-viral to suppress replication
What is the hep b vaccination
Genetically engineered surface antigen which produces a surface antibody response
Who is at risk of transmission of hep C
- people who inject drugs
- sexual contact
- vertical
- blood transfusion
- needlestick
What is the likelihood of chronic infection by hep C
80%
This results in liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, transplant
How many people experience symptoms for hep C
20% have vague symptoms. 80% have none
What blood tests can be used to determine hep C
anti-Hep C antibody test which remains after cure
Also do a viral PCR which is positive shows current infection
What is the treatment for hep C
Antiviral drug combination for 8-12 weeks but there’s no vaccine
What is the risk of transmission of hep C and B by needlestick
B = 1/3 C = 1/30
What must be done if needlestick occurs
- bleed and wash
- collect blood
- PEP
