Hepatitis

Hepatitis

Inflammation of liver damage to liver cells  cell death. Most common causes are viral, alcohol and drugs.

Acute Viral Hepatitis:
Clinical syndrome of variable severity caused by hepatotropic virus. Often asymptomatic – 40% of adults can have antibodies to hepatitis ( subclinical infection)

5 types: HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV (up to 2% of cases due to other viruses, eg cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus).

Hepatitis A (HAV):
RNA virus; Short incubation (15-30 days) – spread primarily by faecal-oral contact, often in institutions; highly infectious; children more commonly affected; overcrowding and poor sanitation increase risks;
Short duration mild fever with vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice, joint pain, tender hepatomegaly and adenopathy – recovery in a few days  good prognosis
Treatment – reassurance; avoid alcohol
Prevention – after initial infection  immunity

Hepatitis B (HBV):
Double shelled DNA virus; Incubation 40-180 days – follows blood transfusion or sexual contact; higher risk in homosexuals, those with haemophilia, IV drug users, institutionalised (eg prison) and health care workers
Three phases:
• preicteric – weakness, nausea, vomiting, enlargement and tenderness of liver; may be skin rash; darkening of urine; jaundice (<30% after 2 months)
• icteric
• convalescent
Treatment – supportive; avoidance of alcohol; immunisation of sexual partner(s)
Complications – liver failure; chronic hepatitis; glomerulonephritis

Hepatitis C (HCV):
From blood transfusion or contact with infected blood
Clinically similar to HBV, but generally less severe
50%  chronic hepatitis; 5%  cirrhosis

Hepatitis D (HDV):
Needs HBV for replication as it is in incomplete RNA virus (delta agent)  has same sources of spread as HBV
Increases incidence of acute liver failure and cirrhosis in those with HBV infection

Hepatitis E (HEV):
Non-enveloped single strand RNA virus; Similar to HAV. Transmitted by the faecal-oral route – causes water borne epidemics during rainy seasons in parts of Africa, Asia and South America

General clinical features:
Usually get prodromal features (headache, malaise, chills) from 2-3 days up to two weeks prior to onset of jaundice; gastrointestinal symptoms; nausea; vomiting; diarrhoea; upper abdominal pain

Differential diagnosis – drugs, alcohol, infectious mononucleosis, malaria, leptospirosis

Management:
No specific treatment; adequate diet; interferon is helpful in some types

Chronic Hepatitis:
Hepatitis >6 months considered chronic.
HBV & HCV main causes

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