Hepatitis A-E

Question 1

What is hepatitis?

Answer 1

• Hepatitis is a broad term that means inflammation of the liver
  
  • Most commonly caused by viruses but can also be caused by medications, alcohol, chemicals, autoimmune disease and metabolic conditions
  • Several types of hepatitis - A B C D E
    ○ Differ in their modes of transmission and signs and symptoms

Question 2

Hep A and hep E

Answer 2

• Hep A (HAV) and Hep E (HEV) is spread through faecal-oral route (contaminated food or drinking water)
  
  • Symptoms: fever, weakness, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle aches, vomiting and jaundice
  • No specific treatment available
    ○ Recover can take several weeks or months
  • After having A or E most people will have life long immunity to the virus
  • Incidence for both HAV and HEV low in Australia but prevalent in developing countries

Question 3

Hep B

Answer 3

• Hep B (HBV) is viral infection that can cause acute or chronic hepatitis \
  
  • Most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery as well as sexual transmission
  • HBV can live on dry surface for at least 7. days
  • Most common hepatic infection.

Question 4

Hep C

Answer 4

• Hep C (HCV) infection is most common cause of chronic liver disease leading in many cases to cirrhosis, decompensated disease, liver cancer and death
  
  • HCV is spread via blood to blood contact
    ○ Sharing unsterilized needles, syringe which can include sharps injuries or passing the virus from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth
  • Risk of Sexual transmission remains low in Hep C is slow acting and symptoms may take time to develop
  • Cure - medicines known as direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are very effective for most people who take them
    ○ Treatment involves 1 or 3 tablets for 8-12 weeks
    ○ Reduces liver inflammation and can help reverse fibrosis and even cirrhosis

Question 5

Signs and symptoms of liver disease

Answer 5

- Abdomen with ascites 
		○ Abnormal build-up of fluid 
		○ Extra fluid - swollen belly 
	- Jaundice 
		○ Whites in eye turn yellow
		○ Yellow skin
Itching of palms

Question 6

What are the three stages of HIV?

Answer 6

1. Acute HIV
   - develops within 2-4 weeks of initial infection
   - virus attacks and destroys t cells
2. Chronic HIV
   - HIV still active but at low levels (may not have any symptoms)
   - period may last for 10 years
   - can trasmit during this phase
   - if people take medication at this stage they may never progress
3. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
   - around 10 years initial presentation of HIV
   - HIV severly damaged the immune system
   - without treatment will last 3 years life

Question 7

What are the goals of medication for HIV ?

Answer 7

1. Decrease the viral load
   
   2. Maintain or increase CD4 +T cell counts
   3. Prevent HIV -related symptoms and opportunistic diseases
   4. Delay disease progression and
      Prevent HIV transmission