Hep A

• What sex is Hep A more common in?

  Male
• What are some transmission routes for hep A?

  Faecal-oral

  Person to person

  Bloodborne (less common)
• What is the primary mode of transmission for hep A?

  Faecal-oral
• What are some risk factors for hep A?

  Poor sanitation and lack of safe water

  Crowded living conditions

  Travel to endemic areas

  Sexual activity (oral-anal contact)

  IV drugs
• What are the 4 stages of a hep A infection?

  Incubation

  Prodromal

  Icteric

  Convalescent
• What are some symptoms that occur in the prodromal phase of a hep A infection?

  Flu-like illness

  GI symptoms

  Low grade fevers
• What are some symptoms that occur in the icteric phase of a hep A infection?

  Jaundice

  Dark urine

  Pale stools

  Hepatomegaly
• What are some symptoms that occur in the convalescent phase of a hep A infection?

  Muscle weakness

  Malaise
• What does the incubation phase refer to?

  Period between coming into contact with the virus and developing symptoms
• What does the prodromal phase refer to?

  Early symptoms before full onset of a disease
• What does the icteric phase refer to?

  Period of established infection
• What does the convalescent phase refer to?

  Recovery period after acute illness
• What is the first line investigation for hep A?

  PCR test for hep A RNA
• What should be performed if a PCR test for hep A is unavailable?

  HAV-IgM and HAV-IgG blood test
• What does a +ve HAV-IgM and +ve HAV-IgG mean?

  Acute hep A infection
• What does a -ve HAV-IgM and +ve HAV-IgG mean?

  Past hep A infection or immunity
• What does a high IgG reactivity and a moderate level of IgM suggest regarding hep A?

  Recent infection NOT acute infection
• What do LFTs show for hep A infection?

  Raised ALT and AST

  Raised bilirubin and PT

  ALP may be elevated
• How are patients with hep A managed?

  Symptoms management

  Follow up every 1-2 weeks - repeat LFTs until aminotransferase levels are within normal levels