Question

CASE STUDY C Hepatitis B and Cirrhosis J.B., age 35, has had chronic hepatitis B for 9 years. The origin of his acute infection was never ascertained. 1. Describe the pathophysiology of acute hepatitis B infection. 2. If J.B. had known about his exposure, could any treatment measures have been undertaken at the time?

Answer 1

Answer: The pathophysiology of acute Hepatitis B infection constist of the invansion of virus on the host cell. HBV is a partially double-stranded DNA virus and a prototype member of the hepadnavirus family, Hepadnavirus polymerase is respnsible for the replication of the hepadnavirus genome. The viral reverse transcriptase is used for inhibition of hepadnavirus replication.

The sign and symptoms includes such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, Fever, Nausea and vomiting etc. It is transmitted through mother to child, used needle of an infected patient, sexual contact with the infected person etc.

For the acute Hepatitis B, there are not specific medicines because it may be cure by having proper diet, fluids and nutritions. But depending upon the severity the health care professionals may prescribe antiviral medications including entecavir (Baraclude), tenofovir (Viread), lamivudine (Epivir), adefovir (Hepsera).