What are the main clinical features of Hepatitis B?

fever, jaundice and elevated liver transaminases

What is the management of Hepatitis B?

• pegylated interferon-alpha used to be the only treatment available. It reduces viral replication in up to 30% of chronic carriers
• other anti-virals can help to suppress viral replication

How is Hepatitis B spread?

exposure to infected blood or body fluids, including vertical transmission from mother to child

What are the common complications of Hepatitis B?

• chronic hepatitis (5-10%). 'Ground-glass' hepatocytes may be seen on light microscopy
• fulminant liver failure (1%)
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• glomerulonephritis
• polyarteritis nodosa
• cryoglobulinaemia

What is the incubation period of hepatitis B?

6-20 weeks

When are children in the UK vaccinated against hepatitis B?

2, 3 and 4 months of age

How is a good response to hepatitis B vaccine tested?

checking anti-HBs levels

What type of vaccine is Hepatitis B?

inactivated vaccine

In Hepatitis B serology: When is Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) raised?

during acute or chronic hepatitis B virus infection

In Hepatitis B serology: When is Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) raised?

indicates recovery or immunity from hepatitis B virus infection. After infection or vaccination

In Hepatitis B serology: When is Total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) raised?

• Appears at the onset of symptoms in acute hepatitis B and persists for life.
• Indicates current or past infection
• measure of both IgM and IgG

In Hepatitis B serology: When is IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc) raised?

indicates recent infection with hepatitis B virus (<6 mos)