Hepatitis B is transmitted via a percutaneous route, often due to sexual
contact, intravenous (IV) drug use, mother-to-neonate transmission, or
possibly blood transfusion. It can be prevented by vaccine.
Hepatitis C is transmitted via a percutaneous route, often due to IV drug
use or, less commonly, sexual contact. There is currently no vaccine
available.
Hepatitis D is transmitted via a percutaneous route and needs hepatitis
B to spread cell to cell. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis D.
Hepatitis E is transmitted via an oral route and is associated with water
contamination. There is no known chronic state of hepatitis E and no
current vaccine available.
Hepatitis G is transmitted via a percutaneous route and is associated with
chronic infection but not significant liver disease.
Exposure to medications (even at therapeutic doses), drugs, or chemicals
can also cause hepatitis. Onset is usually within the first couple of days of
use, and it may be within the first couple of doses. Hepatotoxic substances
include acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride, benzenes, and valproic acid.
Hepatitis may occur as an acute infection (viral type A, E) or become a
chronic state. The patient with chronic disease may be unaware of the illness
until testing of liver function shows abnormalities and further testing reveals
presence of hepatitis.
The chronic (viral type B, C) disease state creates the potential development
of progressive liver disease. Some patients with chronic disease will need liver
transplantation. Recurrence rate posttransplantation is high. Liver cancer may
develop in those with chronic disease states.Nursing alertDecrease in the size of an enlarged liver is a sign of tissue necrosis.Signs and Symptoms
Acute hepatitis:- Malaise
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Low-grade fever
- Dark urine due to change in liver function
- Jaundice due to liver compromise
- Tenderness in right upper quadrant of abdomen
- Hepatomegaly
- Arthritis, glomerulonephritis, polyarteritis nodosa in hepatitis B
Chronic hepatitis: - Asymptomatic with elevated liver enzymes
- Symptoms as acute hepatitis
(^240) Pediatric Nursing Demystified