hepatic and biliary disorders
Overview of Acute Viral Hepatitis
Key Points
Transmission is the fecal-oral route for hepatitis A and parenterally or via blood for hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis B and C, unlike hepatitis A, predispose to chronic hepatitis and liver cancer. Patients with acute viral hepatitis may be anicteric or even asymptomatic. Do viral serologic testing (IgM anti-HAV, HBsAg, anti-HCV) if clinical findings are consistent with acute viral hepatitis and AST and ALT are elevated out of proportion to alkaline phosphatase. Treat patients supportively. Treat acute hepatitis C to prevent transmission. Routine vaccination for hepatitis A and B is recommended in the US for all children and for adults at high risk. 