Sexual Health | Viral hepatitis | Hepatitis B: Natural History, Presentation and Investigation

Hepatitis B: Natural History, Presentation and Investigation
Session Overview
Description
This session describes the natural history and presentation of patients with either acute or chronic hepatitis B virus infection, and the investigations required.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology of acute and chronic hepatitis B
• Appreciate the natural history of hepatitis B and the factors that determine it
• Recognise the common symptoms and signs associated with both acute and chronic hepatitis B
• Select and interpret the appropriate investigations to diagnose acute and chronic hepatitis B
• Select the investigations you would need to make an initial assessment of a patient with acute or chronic hepatitis B
• Appropriately advise contacts of a patient with hepatitis B regarding the need for screening and immunisation

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete:

• Module 07/The Presentation of Infectious Hepatitis (260-0082)

Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is an important cause of acute and chronic liver disease worldwide. In regions where HBV is endemic, most infections are acquired in early life and the carrier rate is high. In low endemicity regions such as the UK, most infections are acquired in adulthood and are related to sexual or parenteral exposure.

Although sometimes symptomatic, most adult acquired infections resolve spontaneously and lead to life-long immunity.

Universal vaccination of infants against hepatitis B was introduced in the UK in 2017.