Hepatitis B Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Hepatitis B Deck (52)
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1
Q

What is hepatitis B?

A

An infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV)

2
Q

What type of virus is HBV?

A

A double-stranded DNA virus which replicates by reverse transcriptase

3
Q

How many people worldwide have hepatitis B?

A

Over 350 million

4
Q

What proportion of the UK is thought to have hepatitis B?

A

1 in 350

5
Q

How is hepatitis B transmitted?

A

Parenterally via infected blood or body fluids

6
Q

What are the routes of transmission of HBV?

A
  • Vaginal or anal intercourse
  • Sharing needles
  • Sharps injuries
  • Vertical transmission
  • Blood transfusion
7
Q

What is the effect of the HBV?

A

Interferes with the functions of the liver by replicating in hepatocytes

8
Q

What causes damage to the liver in hepatitis B?

A

Hosts immune response causing hepatocellular damage

9
Q

What are the risk factors for hepatitis B?

A
  • IV drug use
  • Multiple sexual partners
  • MSM
  • Born in highly endemic region
  • Household contact with EBV
  • Infected with HIV or Hep C
  • Dialysis
10
Q

What are the two forms of hepatitis B infection?

A
  • Acute infection

- Chronic infection

11
Q

How can acute hepatitis B infection present?

A
  • Can be asymptomatic

- Can have acute viral hepatitis

12
Q

What are the features of acute viral hepatitis?

A
  • General ill-health
  • Loss of appetite
  • Body aches
  • Mild fever
  • Dark urine
  • Progressive jaundice
13
Q

How long do the symptoms of acute viral hepatitis last?

A

A few weeks and then gradually improves

14
Q

What can acute hepatitis occasionally lead to?

A

Fulminant hepatitis

15
Q

What is the danger of fulminant hepatitis?

A

It can be fatal

16
Q

What is chronic hepatitis B?

A

A spectrum of disease characterised by the presence of detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) in the blood for longer than 6 months

17
Q

How can chronic hepatitis progress?

A
  • Inactive
  • Liver fibrosis
  • Cirrhosis
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
18
Q

How can chronic hepatitis B be classified?

A
  • e antigen positive

- e antigen negative

19
Q

What is the presence of hepatitis B e antigen associated with?

A
  • Higher rates of viral replication

- Increased infectivity

20
Q

What are the potential symptoms of chronic hepatitis B?

A
  • Fatigue
  • Anorexia
  • RUQ pain
21
Q

What investigations are used for hepatitis B?

A
  • Serological markers
  • General liver investigations
  • Tests for Hep C and HIV
  • Screening for liver cancer
  • Staging investigations
22
Q

What are some general liver investigations?

A
  • FBC
  • Bilirubin
  • Liver enzymes
  • Clotting
  • Ferritin
  • Lipid profile
  • Autoantibody screen
  • Caeruloplasmin
23
Q

What test can be used to screen for liver cancer?

A
  • Ultrasonography

- Alpha-fetoprotein

24
Q

What are some hepatitis B staging investigations?

A
  • Transient elastography

- Liver biopsy

25
Q

What can be used to determine a person’s hepatitis B infection status?

A

Serological markers

26
Q

What are the serological markers looked at in hepatitis B?

A
  • Surface antigen (HbsAg)
  • Core antibody (HbcAb)
  • Surface antibody (HbsAb)
27
Q

What are the serological markers of an acute infection?

A
  • HbsAg +ve
  • HbcAb (IgM) +ve
  • HbsAb +ve/-ve
28
Q

What are the serological markers of a cleared hepatitis B infection?

A
  • HbsAg -ve
  • HbcAb (IgG) +ve
  • HbsAb +ve
29
Q

What are the serological markers of a chronic hepatitis B infection?

A
  • HbsAg +ve
  • HbcAb (IgG) +ve
  • HbsAb -ve
30
Q

What are the serological markers of a person vaccinated for hepatitis B?

A
  • HbsAg -ve
  • HbcAb -ve
  • HbsAb +ve
31
Q

What general advise is given to patients with hepatitis B?

A
  • Avoid unprotected sex until non-infectious
  • Give explanation of the condition and long-term health implications
  • Advise not to give blood
  • Avoid alcohol until liver enzymes normal
32
Q

Where can acute hepatitis B be treated?

A

In primary care unless seriously ill

33
Q

What are the main treatment options for acute hepatitis B?

A

Supportive management with fluids, anti-emetics and rest

34
Q

When is anti-viral treatment indicated in hepatitis B?

A

Fulminant hepatitis

35
Q

How is chronic hepatitis B cured?

A

There is no cure

36
Q

How is chronic hepatitis B managed?

A

Through life-long anti-virals to suppress replication

37
Q

Who may not require life-long anti-virals in chronic hepatitis B?

A

Those who are inactive carriers

38
Q

When do inactive carriers of hepatitis B not require antiviral treatment?

A
  • Low viral load
  • Normal LFTs
  • Mild fibrosis
39
Q

What drug can be used to treat hepatitis B?

A

Peginterferon alfa-2a

40
Q

What is the action of peginterferon alpha-2a?

A

Stimulates the immune system to attack the virus

41
Q

What are the common side-effects of peginterferon alpha-2a?

A

Flu-like symptoms

42
Q

What is the main method of preventing hepatitis B?

A

Vaccination

43
Q

What is the hepatitis B vaccination?

A

A genetically engineered surface antigen

44
Q

How many doses of hepatitis B vaccine are provided to give coverage?

A

3 + boosters if required

45
Q

Who is the hepatitis B vaccine most effective in?

A

Younger people

46
Q

What is defined as a protective response to the hepatitis B vaccine?

A

≥10mlU/ml of anti-HB antibodies in the serum

47
Q

When is the hepatitis B vaccine routinely given?

A

To all babies at 8, 12, and 16 weeks

48
Q

Who is hepatitis B vaccine given to if not received as a baby?

A

Those at risk of hepatitis B or complications

49
Q

What are the potential complications of hepatitis B?

A
  • Fulminant hepatic failure
  • Cirrhosis
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Cryoglobulinaemia
  • Membranous nephropathy
  • Polyarteritis nodosa
50
Q

What is the important public health consideration with hepatitis B?

A

It is a notifiable disease

51
Q

What is meant by hepatitis B being a notifiable disease?

A

All suspected cases should be reported to the local Health Protection Team via notification form

52
Q

Should a patient be told that the local health protection team is being notified of their hepatitis B?

A

Yes