Download Hepatitis

Michelle Ros
Holly Yost
 “Hepatitis”
means inflammation of the liver
 It’s caused by the viruses A,B,C,D,E, alcohol
and drug abuse, and autoimmune disorders
 It can go away on its own, but if left untreated,
it leads to scarring of the liver
 It can be infectious and noninfectious
 About 4.4 million Americans have hepatitis,
but most aren’t aware of it


For all types of hepatitis, A-E, early symptoms include:
o
Diarrhea
o
Fatigue
o
Loss of appetite
o
Fever
o
Muscle/joint aches
o
Nausea
o
Mild abdominal pain
o
Vomiting
o
Weight loss
If allowed to progress, symptoms grow to include:
o
Circulation problems (drug/toxin induced)
o
Dark urine
o
Dizziness (toxic drug)
o
Drowsiness (toxic drug)
o
Enlarged spleen (alcohol)
o
Headache (toxic drug)
o
Itchy skin
o
Light colored, feces containing pus
o
Jaundice (yellow skin)

Highly contagious

Caused by infection with the hep A virus (HAV) through:
o Fecal-oral route
o Contaminated food or water

Lasts for about 28 days in the body

Replicates in liver

Shed out in feces in high concentrations

Does not develop into chronic infection or liver disease

Preventable with vaccine

Diagnosis: detection of hep A antibody through blood test

Treatment: no specific treatment; the body clears it on its own but
the patient should avoid drugs and alcohol to allow the liver to heal
Caused by presence of hep B virus (HBV) from:
o Exchange of contaminated blood, human
secretions, and feces
o Also transmitted sexually and during pregnancy
 Incubation period lasts around 6 weeks-6 months
 Can be self-limited or chronic
 Preventable with vaccine
 Diagnosis: blood tests to examine specific
antigens/ liver biopsy
 Treatment: the patient should eat a diet rich in
proteins and carbs to repair damaged liver cells;
may also be prescribed interferon

Most chronic bloodborne disease in U.S
 Transmitted through blood donations
 HCV is detectable in blood 1-3 weeks after
exposure
 Chronically ill patients may experience active liver
disease
 Some people who are infected may not feel the
affects of the disease but they are still susceptible
to other chronic liver diseases
 Diagnosis: blood tests/ liver biopsy
 Treatment: Patient may be prescribed pegylated
interferon and ribavirin.

 Caused
by HDV which requires presence of
HBV surface antigens to replicate
 Occurs only in people already infected with
hepatitis B
 Transmitted through percutaneous/mucosal
contact with infected blood
 No vaccine exists but a hep B vaccine will
prevent it
 There is no known treatment
 Specifically
occurs in patients who have
travelled to epidemic areas
 Not common in US
 More common in young adults and more
severe in pregnant women
 Shed in feces
 Caused by ingestion of fecal matter
 Does not lead to chronic infection
 There are no vaccines yet and no treatments
 "Hepatitis." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.



Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 Sept. 2012.
Web. 14 May 2013.
"What Is Hepatitis? Symptoms, Causes and
Treatments." Medical News Today. MediLexicon
International, 13 Apr. 2009. Web. 14 May 2013.
Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Hepatitis." Mayo Clinic. Mayo
Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 01 Sept.
2011. Web. 14 May 2013.
Diseases. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse, 1993. Print.