Answer: Blood transfusions, shared and/or contaminated needles among IV drug abusers, intransal drugs, high-risk sexual behavior, tattoos, and (albeit low) vertical transmission from infected mothers to unborn children (accounts for 3-6%). Nearly 30% of persons infected with hepatitis C have no known risk exposure. Significant liver disease develops in 50% of persons infected, and they [...]

Answer: The worker should receive hepatitis immunoglobulin, 0.06 ml/kg IM, as soon as possible and within 7 days of exposure. If the worker has not previously received the hepatitis B vaccine, the vaccination program should be initiated with the usual three doses-the first dose within 14 days after exposure and again at 1 and 6 [...]

Answer: Infants > 2 years who are at risk, travelers to endemic areas, military personnel and others with occupational exposure, IV drug abusers, people with high-risk sexual practices, Native Americans and Alaskans (ethnic groups with high rates of HAV), people in communities with outbreaks of HAV, and patients with clotting factor disorders and chronic liver [...]

Answer: Hepatitis A, called infectious hepatitis, is easily spread by the fecal/oral route. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes a short-lived, benign, acute hepatitis that is not followed by chronic liver disease. IgG antibodies to HAV remain positive for life. To determine if the hepatitis is acute, one must look for IgM antibodies in the [...]

Answer: The frequency of patients presenting with complications associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is expected to triple within the next 20 years. This corresponds to a 61% increase in incidence of cirrhosis, a 68% increase in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, a 279% increase in decompensated liver disease, and a 528% increase in [...]

Answer: Hepatitis C. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 10 persons are at risk for this potentially chronic liver disease for which there is currently no cure. Over 50% of people who have served in the U.S. armed forces are positive for hepatitis C, making the illness a priority in the federal [...]

Answer: Partial or complete obstruction of blood flow out of the liver, usually involving the hepatic veins. The patient characteristically presents with hepatomegaly, ascites, and abdominal pain. Underlying etiologies include myeloproliferative disorders (∼50%), malignancy, infections of the liver, oral contraceptive pills, pregnancy, collagen vascular diseases, and hypercoagulable states. Reference: Reddy KR, Long WB (eds): The [...]