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Hepatitis B
- See Also
- Epidemiology
- Transmission (100 fold more infectious than HIV)
- Percutaneous (needlestick) exposure
- Sharing non-sterile needles
- Tattooing
- Health care accidents
- Blood product exposure
- Sexual contact
- Perinatal exposure
- Percutaneous (needlestick) exposure
- Prevalence
- Endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, China, Southeast Asia
- Acquired in early life in endemic areas
- Chronic Hepatitis B Prevalence: 5 to 20%
- Worldwide Prevalence: 300 million infected
- United States: 1.5 million Hepatitis B carriers
- Endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, China, Southeast Asia
- Incidence
- United States: 100,000 new cases per year
- Transmission (100 fold more infectious than HIV)
- Pathophysiology
- Hepadnavirus (DNA Virus, 42 nm in size)
- Family: Hepadnaviridae
- Components
- Hardy infectious agent
- Stable after 15 years storage at -20 C
- Stable on dried glass at room temperature for 4 weeks
- Stable for 4 hours at 60 C
- Stable after exposure to antiseptics
- Ultraviolet Radiation
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Alcohol
- Inactivated by a few agents
- Glutaraldehyde
- Formalin
- Urea
- Hepatitis B Virus present in blood and body secretions
- Saliva
- Tears
- Vaginal secretions
- Breast Milk
- Timing
- Incubation: 60 to 90 days on average
- Hepadnavirus (DNA Virus, 42 nm in size)
- Risk Factors
- HIV Infection
- Intravenous Drug Abuse
- Sexually Transmitted Disease
- Hemodialysis patients
- Healthcare workers
- Travel from endemic areas
- Asia and southeast Asia
- Pacific Islands
- Eskimo
- India
- Sub-Sahara Africa
- Haiti
- Signs and Symptoms
- See Viral Hepatitis
- Incidence of symptoms (subclinical in most cases)
- Age <5 years: <10%
- Age >5 years: 30-50%
- Symptoms
- Initial acute infection
- Nausea
- Fatigue (may persist)
- Low grade fever
- Right Upper Quadrant Abdominal Pain
- Myalgia or arthralgias
- Urticaria may also occur
- Later acute infection
- Initial acute infection
- Differential Diagnosis
- Labs: Acute Hepatitis B Infection Screening
- See Hepatitis B Serology
- Screening (Identifies most cases of acute Hepatitis B)
- Labs: Evaluation of positive Hepatitis B screening
- Additional Hepatitis B Serology
- Comorbid infection
- Liver Function Tests
- Serum transaminases peaks 1-2 weeks before Jaundice
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
- Serum Bilirubin (rarely exceeds 20 mg/dl)
- Increases after serum transaminases increase
- Serum Albumin
- Decreased in severe liver disease
- Prothrombin Time (with INR)
- Increased in severe liver disease
- Serum transaminases peaks 1-2 weeks before Jaundice
- Complete Blood Count
- Evaluation for complications in high risk patients
- Stages of Hepatitis B Infection
- Management: Prophylaxis of contacts
- Management: Acute Hepatitis B
- Symptomatic management
- Spontaneously resolves in 90% within 3-6 months
- Recheck HBsAg at 6 months
- Management: Chronic Hepatitis B
- Definition: HBsAg positive at 6 months (10%)
- Management per Chronic Hepatitis B type
- Complications
- Prognosis: Acute Hepatitis B
- Outcome in adults and children over age 5 years
- Recovery: 90%
- Chronic Active Hepatitis: 10%
- Fulminant Hepatitis: <1% (high mortality)
- Outcome in children under age 5 years
- Chronic infection: 30-90%
- Worse prognosis if Hepatitis D also present
- Cirrhosis higher risk
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma higher risk
- Outcome in adults and children over age 5 years
- Prevention
- Resources
- References
- Berenguer in Feldman (2002) Sleisenger GI, p. 1285-303
- Befeler (2000) Infect Dis Clin North Am 14:617
- Lin (2004) Am Fam Physician 69:75
