Question

Compare hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E in terms of source of infection, incubation period, acute disease manifestations, development of chronic disease, and the carrier state.

Answer 1

Hepatitis A: it is transmitted through contaminated food and water. This virus spread when an uninfected person ingests food or water that is contaminated with faeces of infected person.

Incubation period: approximately 28 days. Ranges from 15-50 days

Disease manifestation include malaise, losss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea abdominal discomfort,

Carrier state: it doesn't have a carrier state.

Hepatitis B: This virus is passed from person to person through blood,semen and other body fluids. It doesn't spread by sneezing or coughing,

Incubation period: in this symptoms occure an average of 90 days after after exposure to virus.

Disease manifestation include fever,fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Carrier state include: the person who have hepatitis B virus their blood.

Hepatitis C: it usually spread through blood. In th,e present era most of the person gets this virus by sharing needles or other equipment to prepare drugs.

Incubation period ranges from two weeks to six months

So an infected person is act as Carrier

Disease manifestations mainly include jaundice,dark urine

Most adult who have hepatitis c will become carrier.

Hepatitis D: This infection is contagious and caused by direct contact with body fluids of infected person. It can be transmitted through urine also.

Incubation period approximately 35 days

Disease manifestation include yellowing of skin and eyes, joint pain, abdominal pain

Carrier state: simultaneous infection with HBV

Hepatitis E: This is usually spread by faecal oral rout. In developing countries common source of infection is drinking water.

The incubation ranges from 2-10 weeks, with an average of 5-6 weeks

Acute disease manifestation include: initial phase of mild fever, reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting, lasting for few days. Some persons may develop abdominal pain and itching

This type of hepatitis doesn't have Carrier state.