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Viral Hepatitis

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Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Practice ((CCP))

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Abstract

Various forms of viral hepatitis have been identified as being sexually transmitted infections (STIs), whereas other forms are transmitted primarily via fecal-oral routes. The most common forms of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is typically a benign, self-limited illness that in rare cases can progress to fulminant liver failure. HAV is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route through contact with infectious sources due to poor hygiene or sanitation, but sexual transmission has been documented due to fecal contamination. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can cause a self-limited acute hepatitis, or may progress to a chronic carrier state which can progress to hepatocellular cancer (HCC), cirrhosis, and decompensated liver disease. HBV can be transmitted perinatally, parenterally, or across mucous membranes from sexual or close person-to-person contact through open cuts and sores. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne virus that typically causes a silent, chronic hepatitis which can progress on to cirrhosis and HCC. Transmission is typically via parenteral routes and the role of sexual exposure in the transmission of HCV is minimal.

In patients presenting with signs or symptoms of viral hepatitis, sending hepatitis serologies can be useful to distinguish between viral types. This chapter describes the epidemiology, transmission, clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, management, and prevention methods of the most common forms of viral hepatitis.

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Abbreviations

ALT:

Alanine aminotransferase

CDC:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

dL:

Deciliter

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

EIA:

Enzyme immunoassay

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

HAV:

Hepatitis A virus

HBc:

Hepatitis B core antigen

HBeAg:

Hepatitis B e antigen

HBIG:

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin

HBsAg:

Hepatitis B surface antigen

HBV:

Hepatitis B virus

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

HCV:

Hepatitis C virus

HIV:

Human immunodeficiency virus

IG:

Pooled immunoglobulin

IgG:

Immunoglobulin G

IgM:

Immunoglobulin M

IM:

Intramuscular

IU:

International units

mg:

Milligram

MSM:

Men who have sex with men

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

peg-IFN:

Pegylated-interferon

RIBA:

Recombinant immunoblot assay

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

STI:

Sexually transmitted infection

SVR:

Sustained virologic response

US:

United States

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 11301 Wilshire BLVD, BLDG 115, Room 215, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA

    Justin A. Reynolds MD

  2. Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 8536 Wilshire Boulevard, #202, Beverly Hills, CA, USA

    Jeremy Herman MD

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  1. Justin A. Reynolds MD
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  2. Jeremy Herman MD
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Correspondence to Justin A. Reynolds MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Memorial Hospital, Old York Road 817, Jenkintown, 19046, Pennsylvania, USA

    Neil S. Skolnik

  2. Abington Family Medicine, Old York Road 817, Jenkintown, 19046, Pennsylvania, USA

    Amy Lynn Clouse

  3. East River Road 855, Tucson, 85718, Arizona, USA

    Jo Ann Woodward

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Reynolds, J.A., Herman, J. (2013). Viral Hepatitis. In: Skolnik, N., Clouse, A., Woodward, J. (eds) Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Current Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-499-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-499-9_6

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