Viral hepatitis: primary care diagnosis and management.
Many patients in primary care settings have hepatitis. This article discusses signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis and outlines differential diagnoses. The characteristics and methods of transmission of individual hepatotropic viruses, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, and G/GB-C are reviewed. Serologic diagnosis of the causative agent is explained. Patient care includes sign and symptom management, medication administration, prevention of transmission to friends and family members, follow-up serologic testing, and evaluation for chronic infection. Preventive measures include vaccination and the use of immune globulin agents for hepatitis A and B. Health care providers should be aware of recent developments in the treatment of chronic infection with hepatitis B and C.
Alexander
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Yale University Health Services, Internal Medicine Department, Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Conn., USA.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D014611:Vaccination