Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a DNA viral infection that causes damage and inflammation to the liver. It was first discovered in 1965 by Dr. Baruch Blumberg. The HBV virus is very contagious and is even thought to be the most serious form of viral hepatitis and the most common viral infection on Earth. “HBV is 100 times more infectious than HIV.” (Green, 2002, pg. 7) The virus can survive for about one week outside the body on a dry surface. According to Green (2002, pg. 7), “One in twenty Americans has been infected with the virus at some point in their lives.” Between the ages of 15-39 is when 75% of new HBV infections occur, according to Green (2002, pg.8).
There are four phases of Hepatitis B: infection, inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. In the first phase, HBV invades the liver and goes for the nucleus, where it releases contents of DNA and polymerase into the surroundings. It then maneuvers its way to the cell’s components and enzymes. The polymerase sways the liver cells to make segments of the HBV DNA from RNA. The virus makes liver cells create spare parts for other HBV viruses. Replicas are released from liver cell into the bloodstream, destroying host cell and infecting other healthy liver cells. This entire process can take a few hours to occur, but must continue multiple times for serious damage to occur. The second phase is inflammation. Inflammation is caused by lymphocytes trying to get rid of the virus, but they also release harmful chemicals that damage the cells and take part in damaging the liver. The third phase is fibrosis. Fibrosis is scar tissue caused by inflammation and chronic infection. According to Everson and Weinburg, (2002, pg. 64) “Only 5/10% of people develop chronic Hepatitis B from acute Hepa...
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...ed with this drug. One of the major concerns for this treatment is the development of kidney problems, but are usually reversible after treatment is ceased. “Approximately 90-95% of adults with Hepatitis B recover and remain immune to re-infection throughout their lifetime,”(Everson and Weinburg, 2002, pg.142-143)
The sonographic appearance varies depending on of the Hepatitis is acute or chronic. In acute hepatitis you will see a normal texture or portal veins will be more prominent. The liver appears hypoechoic. Attenuation might be present in acute Hepatitis. Gallbladder walls are thickened and hepatosplenomegaly. In chronic Hepatitis the parenchyma will appear coarsed with decreased brightness of the portal triad. Attentuaion is not as great in chronic Hepatitis. Fibrosis may occur with soft shadowing. The size of the liver is decreased and appears hyperechoic.
Some cases are severe and patients can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, which is a type of kidney failure. There have been no cases of HUS or deaths from this outbreak.
Hepatitis A is a usually short acting virus that occurs in humans and monkeys. It is caused by the Hepatovirus and the species is Hepatitis A Virus. There are two major ways in which Hepatitis A can be transmitted. One way is from person to person. This transmission occurs when the fecal matter of an infected person gets ingested by another person. Other ways Hepatitis A can be transmitted from person to person are through direct contact with an infected person, such as sexual contact, and sharing of needles for intravenous drug use. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted through coming in contact with contaminated food or water. Also foods that are uncooked or undercooked and have been contaminated with Hepatitis A can transmit the virus. (Bennett,
The Hepatitis B virus is a disease that affects the liver and results in swelling and loss of normal function in the liver. It is estimated that 350 million people are infected with Hepatitis B worldwide, with 50 million new cases diagnosed every year.(1) In the Unit...
Frank has returned six weeks since the last appointment. A couple of weeks following that review, Frank underwent repeat pathology that revealed renal impairment with an EGFR of 54. I subsequently arranged a renal tract ultrasound, urinalysis and encourage increased oral hydration and repeated his electrolytes. Pleasingly his renal function improved with a repeat EGFR of 87 and the other investigations were unremarkable. Frank subsequently the micophenylate dose to 1gm bd.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a virus that attacks the liver. The virus is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. This can occur through direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex, use of contaminated needles, and from an effected mother to her newborn during the delivery process. The majority of people do not have noticeable symptoms when they are first infected with the HBV. People who do not know they are infected with the HBV, their body can respond in different ways. I learned that some of the common symptoms of Hepatitis B infection include fever, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, mild nausea, vomiting, and dark-colored urine. Some of the serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention and maybe even hospitalization are: severe nausea and vomiting, yellow eyes and skin (jaundice), bloated or swollen stomach.
For example, those who travel to or live in countries where Hepatitis A is common, have sexual contact with someone who has Hepatitis A, men who have sexual encounters with other men, those who use recreation drugs, have clotting-factor disorders, or are household members or caregiver of someone who is infected with the virus. Other risk factors include intermediate and high endemicity areas include poor sanitation and regulations and lack of safe water. Also, residents from regions with low endemicity for the Hepatitis A Virus infection often remains susceptible in their adulthood. In areas where the virus is wide spread, most Hepatitis A infections occur during early childhood because children tend to ingest everything. As mentioned earlier, adults have signs and symptoms of illness more often than children. The severity of the disease and its fatal outcomes are higher in older age
HAV is known to be an infectious disease that usually occurs in children and young adults .The disease is usually transmitted from person to person through contaminated food, liquids or oral fecal route. An example would be when someone is carrying the virus and doesn’t wash their hands after using the restroom and then puts food in their mouth. HAV is most common in developing countries because of the living conditions and inadequate water, poor sewage facilities and sanitary conditions. The highest HAV levels in the world are from India,” Earlier reports suggest that India is hyperendemic for HAV infection2,4-6 with very high infection rates,” (Sowmyanarayanan). Most HAV are without severe complications, “Virus HAV infection rarely causes fulminant hepatic failure in people…,” (Vento,p.1) . The symptoms for HAV are high fever, nausea, vomiting and jaundice...
The kidneys can be permanently damaged if you continuously take the drug over a long period of time. You can get all kinds of cancers such as heart, liver , kidney. 40 % increase !!There are no nutrient supplements known to protect against kidney damage, but some amino acids such as Taurine powder and lots of Vitamin E might help.
Pathogens are a type of microorganism that spreads viral and bacterial diseases. These diseases when present in human blood and body fluids are known as blood borne pathogens, and can spread from one person to another. (Worcester polytechnic institute) The most serious types of blood borne diseases are the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can cause liver damage; and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which is responsible for causing AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The blood borne pathogens can be spread when the blood or body fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and amniotic fluid) of an infected individual comes into contact with mucous membranes or an open sore or cut on the skin of another person. Mucus membranes are located in the eyes, nose, mouth, and other areas as well. ("Bloodborne pathogens: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia") Two of the most common ways that pathogens are transmitted is through the exchange of fluids during sexual intercourse or by sharing infected IV needles. (Worcester polytechnic institute)
A review of the records reveals the member to be an adult female with a birth date of 02/13/1959. The member has a diagnosis of Chronic Hepatitis C, genotype 1 B compensated Liver Disease. The member’s treating provider, Brett Neustater, MD recommended the member be treated with Harvoni 90/400 mg tablets one po qd X 12 weeks.
Liver disease resulting from alcohol affects more than two million Americans and is one of the primary causes of illness and death. The liver frees the body of harmful substances, such as alcohol. While the liver breaks down alcohol, it produces toxins that can be even more dangerous than the alcohol consumed (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 13). “These by-products damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken the body’s natural defenses. Eventually, these problems can disrupt the body’s metabolism and impair the function of other organs” (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 13). A condition called steatosis is the result of fat build up in the liver and is the earliest stage of alcoholic liver disease. This condition causes the liver difficulty breaking down alcohol, potentially resulting in alcoholic hepatitis. Fibrosis of the liver, which is also related to heavy drinking, causes scar tissue to build up in the liver. The alcohol alters chemicals that the liver needs to break down this scar tissue, causing liver dysfunctions. If one does not refrain from drinking during the condition of fibrosis, the scar tissue can build up and create another condition, called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is deterioration of the liver resulting from heavy scarring, causing the liver to not be able to function properly. If cirrhosis becomes severe, a liver transplant may be the only solution (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 14). It is difficult to calculate when a person would develop cirrhosis, because an alcoholic could never develop the disease, but someone who social drinks could. It is also unknown why cirrhosis is more prevalent in women (...
The incubation period for this virus is 10 to 50 days, depending on the amount of the contaminated source that was ingested. About 22,700 cases of Hepatitis A are reported annually. All people who ingest the virus are susceptible to illness, especially immune compromised individuals such as the elderly and children. Although, this virus is most common in adults. The individuals that ingested the contaminated product remain contagious 10 days following initial infection, most of the time prior to symptoms (1).
What is hepatic cirrhosis? According to the medical dictionary hepatic cirrhosis is when scar tissue replaces the liver’s healthy tissue. This disease changes the structure of the liver and blood vessels that nurture it. It reduces the liver’s capability to produce proteins and process hormones, nutrients, medications, and poisons. Cirrhosis is an illness that gets worse over time and possibly can become life threatening. This serious illness is ranked as the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S. It is the third most common cause of death for adults between 45 and 65 years of age. It occurs in more than fifty percent of undernourished chronic alcoholics. Unfortunately it kills about 35,000 people per year. In other country’s such as Africa and Asia death from cirrhosis is usually caused by hepatitis B.
Just days after his birth, Jonathan Carrington had his future stolen away. Laughing and smiling innocently when pleased, and crying when in need, he came out a healthy baby,. His mother took extreme precaution while she was pregnant and even gave natural birth. However, as the happy family exited the hospital and finished the required paperwork, it was discovered that the Hepatitis B vaccine was given to the newborn without parental knowledge or consent. Everything was fine until four hours after the shot and being home that Jonathan let out continuous blood curdling screams. After months of extensive medical tests, the conclusion was he had contracted a brain aneurism that later burst and obtained several types of mental conditions such as
This can be life threating. The liver usually has to go through a few stages before reaching such a life threating state. Many other diseases will develop into cirrhosis if not treated in time. For example fatty liver is disease that can develop into hepatitis or cirrhosis. This disease is most commonly developed by through acute alcohol abuse or substance abuse. This disease can be reversible with absence before developing into cirrhosis, but 20% of heavy users will fail to stay absent and develop cirrhosis. A second disease you might develop before getting to cirrhosis is hepatitis A, B, or C an infection of the liver can develop into cirrhosis. These viruses cause few symptoms that most of the time they go unnoticed developing into a life threating stage. All these can occur at the same time, but if cirrhosis is reached and the cells of the liver are damaged and unable to repair themselves and being to die off causing a scar to form creating blood clots. If this happens poison and waste will accumulate and if this continues for a long period of time it will lead to a hepatic encephalopathy, a condition in the brain causing confusion, change in behavior and worst case scenario a coma. A way to detect cirrhosis would include ruining some blood work, biopsy, an ultrasound, or a CT scan. If cirrhosis is detected in the liver there will be nothing that will be able to be done and as of now there aren’t any known cures. However; there are treatments available that can delay its progress. For cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse, the person must stop drinking to stop cirrhosis from advancing. A doctor most commonly will prescribe steroids or antiviral drugs to reduce liver cells from being injured and progress to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can be reversed depending on how the person follows their treatment plan. If they follow the plan they