Hepatitis

Answer Explanation:

• Cystic fibrosis is the correct answer because it is a genetic disorder that can cause liver cirrhosis. The disease causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body, including the liver. This can lead to scarring (cirrhosis) and other liver problems.
• Cushing’s syndrome, Psoriasis, Phenylketonuria, and Hypothyroidism are not typically associated with liver cirrhosis.

Overview of Liver Cirrhosis:

• Liver cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism.
• The liver carries out several necessary functions, including detoxifying harmful substances in your body, cleaning your blood and making vital nutrients.
• Cirrhosis can lead to a number of complications, including liver cancer. In the early stages of cirrhosis, you might have no symptoms. As cirrhosis progresses, symptoms can develop that indicate your liver is severely damaged.

Overview of Cystic Fibrosis:

• Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine.
• Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and coughing up mucus as a result of frequent lung infections. Other signs and symptoms may include sinus infections, poor growth, fatty stool, clubbing of the fingers and toes, and infertility in most males.
• CF is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. It is caused by the presence of mutations in both copies of the gene for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Those with a single working copy are carriers and otherwise mostly normal.

Answer Explanation:

• Sexual intercourse is indeed an important mode of transmission for hepatitis B. The virus can be found in various body fluids, including semen and vaginal fluids, and can be transmitted through unprotected sex.
• The presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in the blood actually indicates high infectivity. This antigen is produced by the hepatitis B virus during its replication process and its presence in the blood suggests a high viral load and a greater risk of transmission.
• In the UK, not only medical students and doctors are routinely immunized against hepatitis B. Other healthcare workers, people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and people traveling to high-risk areas are also commonly immunized.
• There is treatment available for chronic carriers of hepatitis B. Antiviral medications can help to slow the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of complications, although they cannot cure the infection.
• Hepatitis B is not eventually fatal in all cases. Many people with chronic hepatitis B live long and healthy lives. However, some people may develop serious complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, which can be life-threatening.

Overview of Hepatitis B:

• Transmission: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. This can occur through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to child during birth.
• Symptoms: Many people with hepatitis B do not experience symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include fatigue, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and abdominal pain.
• Diagnosis: Hepatitis B is diagnosed through blood tests that look for the presence of hepatitis B antigens and antibodies.
• Treatment: Treatment for chronic hepatitis B can help to slow the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of complications. This often involves antiviral medications.
• Prevention: The best way to prevent hepatitis B is through vaccination. Other preventive measures include using condoms during sex, not sharing needles, and avoiding contact with blood or body fluids.

Answer Explanation:

• Hepatitis A is indeed more common in developing countries. This is due to poor sanitation and hygiene practices, which facilitate the fecal-oral transmission of the virus.
• The commonest mode of transmission is not between intravenous drug users. This is more applicable to Hepatitis B and C, which are bloodborne pathogens.
• Fulminant hepatitis, a severe form of acute hepatitis, does not occur in 50 per cent of Hepatitis A cases. It is a rare complication.
• Unlike Hepatitis B and C, Hepatitis A does not lead to chronic infection. Therefore, there are no chronic carriers of Hepatitis A.
• Universal immunization against Hepatitis A is not routine in the UK. It is only recommended for certain high-risk groups, such as travellers to areas with high rates of Hepatitis A.

Overview of Hepatitis A:

Etiology:

• Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV), a picornavirus.

Transmission:

• HAV is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, either through ingestion of contaminated food or water, or direct contact with an infected person.

Clinical Features:

• Many infected individuals, especially children, are asymptomatic. When symptoms do occur, they may include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Diagnosis:

• Diagnosis is typically made by detecting anti-HAV IgM antibodies in the blood.

Treatment:

• There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A. Management is supportive and focuses on maintaining comfort and adequate nutritional balance, including replacement of fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea.

Prevention:

• Hepatitis A can be prevented through vaccination, good hygiene practices, and avoiding consumption of unsafe water and food in areas with high rates of the disease.

Answer Explanation:

• The correct answer is “Screening for the infection is by an anti-hepatitis C virus antibody test”. This is because Hepatitis C is primarily diagnosed through a blood test that screens for antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus. If the test is positive, it means the person has been exposed to the virus at some point.

Incorrect Options Explanation:

• “The infection is acquired from consuming contaminated food” – This is incorrect. Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus, most commonly transmitted through sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs.
• “Immunization is offered to high-risk groups in the UK” – This is incorrect. There is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis C.
• “In most cases the infection is cleared spontaneously” – This is incorrect. While acute Hepatitis C can clear on its own without treatment in about 15-25% of people, most people who are infected with the Hepatitis C virus go on to develop chronic Hepatitis C.
• “First-line treatment is with lamivudine” – This is incorrect. Lamivudine is not a first-line treatment for Hepatitis C. The first-line treatment for Hepatitis C is usually a combination of antiviral medications.

Hepatitis C Overview:

Etiology:

• Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus.
• It is a bloodborne virus, most often spread by sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs.

Clinical Features:

• Many people with Hepatitis C do not have symptoms and are unaware of their infection.
• Those who do develop symptoms may experience fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the eyes and skin.

Diagnosis:

• Hepatitis C is diagnosed through a blood test that screens for antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus.
• If the test is positive, a further test is needed to determine if the infection is current or past.

Treatment:

• The goal of treatment is to cure the infection, prevent liver damage, and reduce the risk of liver cancer.
• First-line treatment is usually a combination of antiviral medications.