Viral hepatitis
What is Viral Hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis refers to liver infections caused by specific viruses, namely hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. These viruses primarily target the liver, leading to inflammation and potential damage. It's important to note that other viruses, such as Epstein-Barr (EB) virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV), can cause infections, but the liver is not their main site of replication or damage.
Types of Viral Hepatitis:
Let's briefly discuss the five well-characterized types of viral hepatitis:
Hepatitis A (HAV): It is usually contracted through contaminated food or water and generally resolves on its own without causing chronic liver disease.
Hepatitis B (HBV): This type spreads through contact with infected blood, body fluids, or from mother to child during childbirth. HBV can result in both acute and chronic infections, leading to severe liver complications.
Hepatitis C (HCV): It primarily spreads through contact with infected blood, often due to sharing needles or unsafe medical procedures. HCV can also cause acute and chronic infections, potentially leading to liver cirrhosis or cancer.
Hepatitis D (HDV): This is a unique type of hepatitis that occurs only in individuals already infected with HBV. HDV can worsen the progression of HBV-related liver disease.
Hepatitis E (HEV): HEV is mainly transmitted through contaminated water in areas with poor sanitation. While most HEV infections resolve on their own, they can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
Stages of Acute Viral Hepatitis:
Now, let's delve into the stages of acute viral hepatitis, which can vary depending on the causative virus:
1)Prodromal Period:
During this initial stage, bilirubinuria (bilirubin in urine) may appear before a rise in serum bilirubin.
Serological viral markers aid in diagnosing the specific virus causing the infection.
Urobilinogen and total bilirubin levels increase before the onset of clinical jaundice.
Liver enzymes AST and ALT (aminotransferases) are significantly elevated, often exceeding 500 units.
Leucopenia (reduced white blood cell count) may be observed along with the onset of fever.
2)Acute Icteric Stage:
Bilirubin levels rise, reach a plateau, and then gradually decrease.
Serum AST and ALT levels rise and fall rapidly, typically returning to the normal range within 2 to 5 weeks.
ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) initially rises but falls during the recovery phase.
3)Defervescent Stage:
Diuresis (increased urine production) occurs at the onset of convalescence.
Bilirubinuria disappears, but serum bilirubin levels remain elevated.
Urine urobilinogen increases.
Serum bilirubin returns to normal levels after 3 to 6 weeks.
2. • What is Viral Hepatitis?Viral hepatitis refers to liver infections caused by
specific viruses, namely hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. These viruses primarily
target the liver, leading to inflammation and potential damage.
3. • It's important to note that other viruses, such as Epstein-Barr (EB)
virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV), can
cause infections, but the liver is not their main site of replication or
damage.
4. • Types of Viral Hepatitis:Let's briefly discuss the five well-characterized
5. types of viral hepatitis:
• 1. Hepatitis A (HAV): It is usually contracted through contaminated
food or water and generally resolves on its own without causing
chronic liver disease.
6. • 2. Hepatitis B (HBV): This type spreads through contact with infected
blood, body fluids, or from mother to child during childbirth. HBV can
result in both acute and chronic infections, leading to severe liver
complications.
7. • 3. Hepatitis C (HCV): It primarily spreads through contact with
infected blood, often due to sharing needles or unsafe medical
procedures. HCV can also cause acute and chronic infections,
potentially leading to liver cirrhosis or cancer.
8. • 4. Hepatitis D (HDV): This is a unique type of hepatitis that occurs only
in individuals already infected with HBV. HDV can worsen the
progression of HBV-related liver disease.
9. • 5. Hepatitis E (HEV): HEV is mainly transmitted through contaminated
water in areas with poor sanitation. While most HEV infections
resolve on their own, they can be particularly dangerous for pregnant
women.
10. • Stages of Acute Viral Hepatitis:Now, let's delve into the stages of
acute viral hepatitis, which can vary depending on the causative virus:
11. • 1. Prodromal Period:- During this initial stage, bilirubinuria (bilirubin
in urine) may appear before a rise in serum bilirubin.- Serological viral
markers aid in diagnosing the specific virus causing the infection.-
Urobilinogen and total bilirubin levels increase before the onset of
clinical jaundice.- Liver enzymes AST and ALT (aminotransferases) are
significantly elevated, often exceeding 500 units.- Leucopenia
(reduced white blood cell count) may be observed along with the
onset of fever.
12. • 2. Acute Icteric Stage:- Bilirubin levels rise, reach a plateau, and then
gradually decrease.- Serum AST and ALT levels rise and fall rapidly,
typically returning to the normal range within 2 to 5 weeks.- ESR
(erythrocyte sedimentation rate) initially rises but falls during the
recovery phase.
13. • 3. Defervescent Stage:- Diuresis (increased urine production) occurs
at the onset of convalescence.- Bilirubinuria disappears, but serum
bilirubin levels remain elevated.- Urine urobilinogen increases.-
Serum bilirubin returns to normal levels after 3 to 6
