Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is viral infection of the liver that causes hepatic inflammation which is followed by the classic icteric symptoms of jaundice and the release of liver enzymes

Periods and clinical symptoms of hepatitis:

1. Incubation period.

 2. Preicteric period. 

3. Icteric period.

4. Recovery.

Jaundice/Icterus:

•Elevated levels of bilirubin in blood is associated with “dark colored” urine.

•Obstructive jaundice causes impairment of excretion into the small intestine.

• This results in the loss of the “normal yellowing” of the stool.

•The stool are “white or achrolic”.

Epidemiology of HEV infection:

•Contagious period extends from before to after symptoms.

•Transmission - via fecal-orale route   by ingestion of contaminated food and water.

•It causes only acute disease.

•Life long immunity.

•HEV infection is especially

  serious in pregnant women

  (mortality rate about   20 %).

•Transmission through placenta results in death of fetus.