viral hepatitis

Hep B

Hep C

Hep A

Hep E

VACCINE

RNA

Self-limiting

fecal-oral transmission

VACCINE

DNA

more serious

global health issue

technically a STI

hep B is also associated with hep B-associated delta virus

increases the pathology of hep B

NO VACCINE

RNA

most common globally

liked to transfer via blood transfusion

ie sharing needles

NO VACCINE

RNA

rare in Canada

similar to hep A but MUCH higher mortality rate

treatments

interferon

nucleoside analog antiviral

this is better tolerated than the interferon BUT increases the risk for resistance as this requires LONG TERM therapy

treatment

peg-interferon (makes the duration of the action much longer) PLUS ribavarin (nucleoside analog)

costly

flu-like adverse effects for most, also neurotoxicities common

by adding protease inhibitors (blocks the viral replication in the host cell) to the combo treatment you increase the efficacy of the other 2

better outcome than HBV