Viral Hepatitis
Principal Syndromes | Prevalence and Distribution | Specific Therapy | Specific Prevention* |
|---|---|---|---|
Hepatitis A (acute) | Widespread, often epidemic | None | Immune globulin, vaccine |
Hepatitis B (acute and chronic) | Widespread | Screening for hepatitis B surface antigen | |
Hepatitis C (acute and chronic) | Widespread | Screening for hepatitis C | |
Hepatitis D (delta) | Endemic pockets in several countries Parenteral drug users at relatively high risk Can infect only in the presence of hepatitis B | Interferon | None |
Outbreaks Genotypes 1 and 2: Developing countries Genotypes 3 and 4: Europe; transmitted by eating undercooked pork products Severe during pregnancy | None | Vaccine (not available in US) | |
* Nonspecific precautions (eg, avoidance of body fluids of infected patients, aseptic precautions, routine hygiene measures) are also recommended. | |||