Gastro: Hepatitis A: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️FREE MSRA PODCAST –Hepatitis A🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this acute viral liver infection – perfect for exam prep and real-life clinicalscenarios. 🧠Key Learning Points📌Definition• Hepatitis A is aself-limiting viral infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus(HAV), primarily transmitted via the faecal–oral route. 📌Causes & RiskFactors• Contaminated foodand water• Poor sanitationand hygiene• Travel to endemicregions (e.g. South Asia, Africa, Central America)• Close contact withan infected person• Men who have sexwith men (MSM)• People who injectdrugs• Clotting factordisorders (e.g. haemophilia – historical risk due to plasma products)💡Mnemonic – "FATWCC":Food, Abroad, Toilets, Water, Close contact, Clottingdisorders 📌Pathophysiology• HAV enters via thedigestive tract → reaches the liver → infects hepatocytes• The immuneresponse causes inflammation → symptoms of hepatitis• Virus is excretedin bile → passed in stool• Most infectiousduring the prodromal phase (before jaundice) 📌Symptoms• Fever, malaise,nausea, vomiting• Right upperquadrant pain• Jaundice, darkurine, pale stools• Itchy skin(pruritus)• Tenderhepatomegaly💡Mnemonic –"JAUNDICE":Joint pain, Appetite loss, Upper quadrant pain,Nausea/vomiting, Dark urine, Itchy skin, Clay stools, Exhaustion 📌DifferentialDiagnosis• Hepatitis B, C, D,E• Alcoholichepatitis• Drug-induced liverinjury (DILI)• Autoimmunehepatitis• Acute HIV• EBV or CMVhepatitis 📌Diagnosis• Anti-HAV IgM:positive in acute infection• Anti-HAV IgG:indicates past infection or vaccination• LFTs: ↑ALT >↑AST, ↑bilirubin, ↑ALP• Check PT andalbumin if severe• Imaging (USS) notroutinely needed unless unclear diagnosis💡Tip: IgM = Minute = recent infection | IgG = Gone = past exposure or vaccine 📌Management• Supportive only –rest, hydration, good nutrition• Avoid alcoholuntil LFTs normalise• Public healthnotification if applicable• Vaccinate at-riskgroups: travellers, MSM, PWID, sewage workers• Post-exposureprophylaxis (vaccine or immunoglobulin) for close contacts 📌Complications• Fulminant hepaticfailure (rare <0.4%)• Cholestatichepatitis (prolonged jaundice)• Relapsinghepatitis• Higher risk ofcomplications in older adults and those with liver disease 📌Prognosis• Excellent – mostrecover fully within weeks to months• Does not cause chronic liver disease 📎More MSRA Resourcesfor Hepatitis A📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-a-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-a-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-a-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-a-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/gastroenterology-for-the-msra/ Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevision#MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQandANotes#MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision#MSRARevisionWebsite #HepatitisA