11.
Early symptoms of hepatitis are similar to the common flu with accompanying
fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and loss of appetite. Low-grade fever, nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea or constipation may occur. As the disease progresses, the
liver may enlarge and become tender. Jaundice or the yellowing of the skin and
eyes appears as bilirubin accumulates in the blood. The severity of the symptoms
varies from patient to patient, and symptoms are not specific for the causative
agent.
(para 7-11)
The predominant causative agents of hepatitis are: hepatitis A virus (HAV),
12.
hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis non-A, non-B
(NANB).
(para 7-12)
13.
Testing for the specific type of viral hepatitis involved in the disease process is
based on detecting viral antigens present in the patient's serum as well as the
detection of specific antibodies produced in the immune response to the viral
agent. Antibodies associated with viral hepatitis are either IgM or IgG
immunoglobulins. IgM immunoglobulins are involved in the primary immune
response and serve as good immunological test markers of recent or acute
infection since they appear at the onset of the infection and are short lived. IgG
immunoglobulins usually serve as good immunological markers of past exposure
and possible immunity. The most common methodology utilized to detect the
serological markers of hepatitis is the enzyme immunoassay.
(para 7-13)
14.
Does the hepatitis A virus have an envelope? No. It is a single-stranded RNA
virus which belongs to the picornavirus class of viruses. It consists of an outer
capsid containing the hepatitis A antigen. The capsid surrounds the single strand
of RNA and the viral protein genome (VPG). The VPG aids the virus in attaching
to the host cytoplasmic ribosomes for self-replication.
(para 7-14)
15.
The hepatitis A virus is transmitted via the oral-fecal (enteric) route. HAV may be
found in feces and may be transmitted to others through poor personal hygiene,
through the sharing of eating utensils, through oral-anal sexual contact, or through
the sharing of common items which are contaminated with infectious fecal material
such as children's toys. Contaminated food and water are frequent modes of
transmission.
(para 7-15)
MD0838
7-23