Hepatitis

DEFINITION
Hepat-

liver, -itis- inflammation Inflammation of the liver. Injury of the liver with the inflammation of liver cells

Liver
Largest

gland of the human body 3lb (1.36kg) Largest internal organ

The liver has a wide range of functions, including:

Detoxification Stores vitamins A, D, K and B12 (also stores minerals) Protein synthesis (makes certain amino acids - the building blocks of proteins) The production of biochemicals needed for digestion, such as bile Maintains proper levels of glucose in the blood Produces 80% of your body's cholesterol (cholesterol is vital) The storage glycogen (also converts glucose to glycogen) Decomposing red blood cells Synthesizing plasma protein The production of hormones Produces urea (the main substance of urine)

Hepatitis can heal on its own with no significant consequence, or it can progress to scarring of the liver.
mild

to a severe, fatal illness; suddenly or develop insidiously Infectious or non-infectious causes MC causes are viral, excess alcohol consumption, various drugs, toxic substances and poisons. Most liver damage is caused by 3 hepatitis viruses, called hepatitis A, B and C. However, hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and some other toxins and infections.

 How

many types of hepatitis are there?

There are five main types of hepatitis that are caused by a virus, A, B, C, D, and E.

Hepatitis A
Infectious

Hepatitis Epidemic Hepatitis Catarrhal Jaundice

Etiology
Hepatitis

A Virus (HAV)

Incubation period
Time

between infection and appearance of any symptoms 15-50 days; average 28-30 days Most infective; by the time symptoms appear, virus numbers are decreasing and infectiveness starts to decline. Still shed the virus and are a potential source of infection to others

Mode of transmission

Shed in the faeces of an infected person. Spreads easily when water or food becomes contaminated which commonly occurs in conditions of poor hygiene and sanitation. Leakages in the sewerage system may contaminate drinking water Also possible to be passed by oral or anal sex.

Signs and symptoms

Usually

begins with loss of appetite, feverishness, nausea sickness and malaise. There may be headaches, abdominal pain, pale-coloured stools and diarrhea. Jaundice , urine becomes darker, may develop itchiness and skin rashes. It may take 2wks to a month for the jaundice to disappear and for recovery to be complete.

 Most

people suffer no further ill-effects and develop antibodies to the virus, which provide long term immunity--- Anti-HA. Develop a few weeks after infection and usually provides lifelong protection against future attacks Nearly everyone who develops Hepatitis A makes a full recovery - it does not lead to chronic disease.

DIAGNOSIS & treatment

Blood samples- IgM Ab produced early in the infection in response to the presence of viral antigen, but disappears within a few weeks.---hence, indicative of acute HAV infection. No specific tx. Rest, Fluids, and a nourishing diet. Alcohol should be avoided. Strict standards of Hygiene should be maintained.

 The

virus does not remain in the body. Rare for there to be long-lasting effects.

prevention
Travel-

human immunoglobulin containing antibodies to HAV, which gives up to 12 weeks protection. Uncooked shellfish, salad vegetables and unpeeled fruit should be avoided, which may have been in contact with contaminated water. Proper Hand washing.

HEPATITIS B
Serum hepatitis B

Etiology
Hepatitis

B Virus (HBV)

Incubation period
Time

between infection and appearance of any symptoms Six weeks to six months.

Mode of transmission

Infected blood or body fluid coming into contact with that of a non-infected person. Unprotected sexual intercourse, both heterosexual and homosexual, and anal and oral sex. Unscreened blood and blood products Contaminated needles- illicit drug users, tattooing, ear piercing Health Care workers- accidental needlestick injuries Perinatal transmission- during pregnancy and childbirth

Signs and symptoms

More

severe than HAV. Anorexia, HA, fever, malaise, pains and chills, nausea, jaundice, passing of dark urine and pale-coloured stools.

DIAGNOSIS
-

Blood sample-HbsAg associated with surface coat of the virus. - appears in the blood between 1 and 6 weeks before the onset of symptoms during the IP. Indicates acute HBV infection, or a carrier state. normally declines as the body mounts an immune response and manufactures anti-HB antibodies. -infective and must avoid passing on the virus If no HbsAg but anti-HB is present in the blood, the person is no longer infective and is immune against future infection.

treatment
Rest,

fluids, balanced diet, alcoholic drinks should be avoided. No specific treatment

prevention
Vaccination High standards of safety and hygiene Never reuse or share needles or syringes, toothbrushes, razors HBV Immunoglobulin The patient can suffer serious liver damage due to infection, resulting in cancer. For some patients the hepatitis becomes chronic (very long-term or lifelong). Donated blood is always tested for Hepatitis B.

HBV IMMUNOGLOBULIN

Newborn babies of mothers who are Hbsag positive. People who had accidental needlestick injury involving known infected blood. Sexual partners of a person with confirmed HBV infection Victims of rape or sexual assault Injecting drug addicts, and their sexual contacts Prostitutes, homosexual and heterosexual people with many sexual contacts Doctors, nurses, dentists and all health workers who may be at risk Residents and staff in closed institutions

HEPATITIS c
Serum Hepatitis C Non-A, non-B hepatitis

Etiology
Hepatitis

C Virus (HBV)

Incubation period
Time

between infection and appearance of any symptoms 2 months, but varies between 2weeks to 4 months.

Mode of transmission

Blood transfusion Illicit drug users sharing contaminated needles and syringes Less likely to be transmitted sexually Perinatal transmission In hepatitis C, unlike hepatitis B, liver cancer risk is only increased in people with cirrhosis and only 20% of hep C patients get cirrhosis. Feces is never a route of transmission in hepatitis C. Donated blood is also tested for Hepatitis C.

Signs and symptoms

Anicteric

hepatitis- flu-like symptoms in which jaundice is not a feature. (particularly in post transfusion cases) Recrudescent hepatitis- recovery phase of the infection can assume a roller coaster nature of fluctuating levels of activity, resulting in relapses and the return of symptoms.

DIAGNOSIS & treatment

Blood sample- HCV Antigen Tx is the same with mild HAV and HBV

prevention
No

Vaccination currently available High standards of safety and hygiene Never reuse or share needles or syringes, toothbrushes, razor

WORLD HEPATITIS DAY

The

World Hepatitis Alliance first launched World Hepatitis Day in 2008. Following on, the UN declared official recognition of this event in 2010. JULY 28 aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment