The ABC's of Viral Hepatitis

Faculty

Needs Statement

STDs are common, costly, and preventable. Worldwide, an estimated 333 million cases of curable STDs occur annually. In 1995, STDs were the most common reportable diseases in the United States. They accounted for 87 percent of the top 10 infections most frequently reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from State health departments. Of the top 10 infections, 5 were STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis B). Each year an estimated 15 million new STD infections occur in the United States, and nearly 4 million teenagers are infected with an STD. The direct and indirect costs of the major STDs and their complications, including sexually transmitted HIV infection, are conservatively estimated at $17 billion annually.

Primary prevention of HIV/STD begins with changing the sexual behaviors that place persons at risk for infection. Health-care providers have a unique opportunity to provide education and counseling to their patients.  As part of the clinical interview, health-care providers should routinely and regularly obtain sexual histories from their patients and address management of risk reduction.

During the years 1984-1993 in the United States, reported cases of acute hepatitis ranged from 43,012-64,075. In 1994, 44,227 cases of infectious hepatitis were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hepatitis A accounted for 61% of those cases and hepatitis B for 28% of the reported cases. These numbers grossly underestimate the actual number of cases of infectious hepatitis in the United States because the diagnosis is often missed and because many cases are never reported. The CDC estimates a more accurate number to be 500,000-750,000 new cases per year.

Acute hepatitis may result in serious illness or even fatality; it is the leading cause of fulminant acute hepatic failure in the United States. Liver disease induced by viral hepatitis accounts for 4000-5000 deaths per year. Chronic viral hepatitis infection causes even greater morbidity and mortality rates. Chronic liver disease associated with persistent hepatitis virus infection accounts for an estimated 16,000 deaths per year; 70% from HCV, 20% from HBV, and 10% from combined infection with HCV and HBV.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat sexually transmitted diseases.

 

Objectives

1.  Describe the epidemiology of Hepatits A, B and C in the U.S.;
2.  Describe the pathology of Hepatits A, B and C;
3.  Discuss the clinical manifestations of Hepatits A, B and C infections;
4.  Identify methods used to diagnosis Hepatits A, B and C infections;
5.  List the CDC-recommended treatment regimens for Hepatits A, B and C;
6.  Describe public health measures for the prevention of Hepatits A, B and C.

Accreditation

Medicine
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and The Alabama/North Carolina STD Prevention and Training Center. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent in the educational activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Turnipseed has no relevant relationships to disclose.

 

Activity Sponsorship

This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky and The Alabama/North Carolina STD Prevention and Training Center.