Virus hepatitis B19.9

Diffuse, non-purulent inflammation of the liver caused by hepatotropic viruses with different transmission pathways and epidemiologies. There is no cross-immunity between the different forms of hepatitis. Acute hepatitis lasts for a maximum of 6 months. 5 virus types marked with the letters A-E. These cause 95% of all viral hepatitis (see below hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, hepatitis E virus).

The following skin lesions are found:

• Icterus
• Scarlatiniform exanthema
• Acute urticaria.

• HAV: most common viral disease; incubation period: 15-50 days
• HBV: up to 5% virus carrier; incubation period: 30-180 days
• HCV: 3% virus carrier; incubation period: 15-180 days
• HDV: 5% of HB virus carriers; incubation period: 30-180 days
• HEV: special risk areas; incubation period: 15-160 days
• 5% viral liver inflammation is caused by CMV, EBV and unknown virus type.

HAV and HEV infections are transmitted faeco-orally (rarely parenterally or through sexual intercourse). HBV and HBD infections are often transmitted sexually and through blood products. HBC infections are transmitted by blood products and perinatally, less often sexually.

The symptoms of the individual virus infections are basically largely similar. The infection can be completely asymptomatic (2/3 of the cases are asymptomatic in childhood), anicteric, with only slight discomfort, but also icteric, fulminant to liver failure.

Prodromal stage: weakness, mild fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, headache in 20-60%, joint pain in 10-30%, duration of a few days.

Icteric stage: icterus lasts 2-3 weeks, after 4-12 weeks there is complete clinical and biochemical healing.

Posthepatitis syndrome: in some patients fatigue and weakness and depression persist for weeks and months. In 5% of cases chronic course.

Obligation to report by name in case of suspicion, illness and death from acute viral hepatitis as well as laboratory evidence of hepatitis A-E (hepatitis C only if a chronic illness is not known).