Hepatitis B

Question 1

Who gets Hep B?

Answer 1

Blood-blood transfusion
Sex
Mother-child : effectively prevented by immunization of baby at birth
PWIDs

Question 2

How does Hep B present?

Answer 2

Acute presentation:

• Can be asymptomatic
• Similiar to hep A but more severe

Question 3

How is Hep B diagnosed?

Answer 3

• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) present in blood of all infectious individuals
• Hep B e antigen (HbeAg) (active)
• Hep B virus DNA always present
• Hep B DNA
• Hep B IgM (Recent infections)

Question 4

How long must HBsAG be present in the blood to make a chronic infection?

Answer 4

6 months

Question 5

How is Hep B treated?

Answer 5

• Prevention through minimizing exposure
• Vaccination can prevent contraction
• Post-exposure vaccination + HBIG (hyperimmune hep B immunoglobin)

Question 6

How is chronic Hep B treatment?

Answer 6

Only treat when ALT and high HBV DNA

Entecavir, tenofovir: suppressive antiviral drugs (although only suppression)

Question 7

What could be a possible sustained cure?

Answer 7

Peginterferon

Question 8

High risk populations to get it are?

Answer 8

Men who have sex with men
IVDU
Those born in africa or indian sub-continent

Question 9

What type of virus is hep B?

Answer 9

DNA virus