- 66.6k views
Hepatitis B & C: Overview
Hepatitis B and C are two distinct viral infections that affect the liver, causing a range of liver-related diseases. Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through exposure to infected blood and other bodily fluids. It can be acute or chronic, with chronic infections posing a higher risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus, typically transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. Chronic HCV infection can also lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Both HBV and HCV can be asymptomatic or present with similar symptoms, including jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort. HBV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, through sexual contact, and sharing needles. HCV is primarily spread through sharing needles, contaminated medical equipment, or in rare cases, sexual contact. Both diseases are global health concerns. HBV is more common in regions like Asia and Africa, while HCV is more prevalent in some parts of the United States and Europe. There is an effective vaccine for HBV that has significantly reduced new infections. No vaccine for HCV exists, but direct-acting antiviral drugs have revolutionized HCV treatment. Chronic hepatitis B can be managed with antiviral medications, while hepatitis C can be cured with a combination of antiviral drugs.
About the Speaker
Dr. Uday Sanglodkar
Senior Consultant - Hepatology and Liver Transplant Global Hospital, Mumbai
About the Speaker Dr. Uday Sanglodkar is currently working as Senior Consultant - Hepatology and Liver Transplant Clinical Lead Liver intensive care. Dr Uday has worked at Rela Institute and Medical centre (RIMC) as a Consultant Hepatologist and Liver Transplant physician for 3 years. Dr Uday is a Senior Consultant with vast experience in hepatology/ transplant Hepatology. His areas of interest include Hepatobiliary diseases, liver intensive care and transplant Hepatology.
Upcoming Case Discussions
Approach to a Patient with Altered Mental Status
The evaluation of a patient with altered mental status begins with a detailed history. Because the patient may be unable to offer a history, it will be required to seek additional information from family, friends, or the primary medical team. The first step is to ascertain the timing of the mental status change and the circumstances surrounding it, such as medication/drug usage or trauma. An acute change in mental state is a medical emergency that necessitates an immediate, systematic evaluation. Airway, breathing, and circulation ("ABC's") should be evaluated in conjunction with an updated set of full vital signs and finger-stick blood glucose. Tachycardia may indicate a systemic infection, pulmonary embolism, or atrial fibrillation with high ventricular rate.
Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Surgical Approach
A 31-year-old woman from Kenya presented at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, with occasional back and abdominal pain and was diagnosed with Takayasu’s arteritis, a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) positivity. Her condition, complicated by the use of immunosuppressants and anticoagulants, posed significant medical challenges, particularly the high risk of aortic rupture. A multidisciplinary team optimized her care, addressing both her autoimmune disease and medication needs. The complex surgical repair of her TAAA was performed using a unique technique developed by Dr. Niranjan Hiremath, with support from Dr. B N Das, showcasing the hospital's expertise in managing high-risk aortic diseases. This case highlights the importance of innovative approaches and collaborative care in achieving successful outcomes for complex conditions.
Anemia in Dialysis Patients: Recent Evidence
The evaluation of a patient with altered mental status begins with a detailed history. Because the patient may be unable to offer a history, it will be required to seek additional information from family, friends, or the primary medical team. The first step is to ascertain the timing of the mental status change and the circumstances surrounding it, such as medication/drug usage or trauma. An acute change in mental state is a medical emergency that necessitates an immediate, systematic evaluation. Airway, breathing, and circulation ("ABC's") should be evaluated in conjunction with an updated set of full vital signs and finger-stick blood glucose. Tachycardia may indicate a systemic infection, pulmonary embolism, or atrial fibrillation with high ventricular rate.
Approach to Coronary Artery Diseases
Coronary artery disease (also known as coronary heart disease) is the leading cause of death for both men and women and the most frequent type of heart disease. This largely preventable condition causes hazardous thickening and narrowing of the coronary arteries—the channels that bring blood to the heart—interrupting the passage of oxygen and nutrients to the heart, resulting in major complications. Angina (chest pain) can result from coronary artery disease when there is insufficient blood flow. Over time, the heart needs to work harder, which can lead to heart failure (when the heart is unable to pump adequately) or arrhythmia. The injured arteries may become fully clogged or prone to clotting, resulting in a heart attack.
AI Solutions for Hospitals
AI in healthcare is the application of machine learning, natural language processing, deep learning, and other AI technologies to improve the experiences of both healthcare workers and patients. AI's data-processing and prediction skills allow health practitioners to better manage their resources and tackle many facets of healthcare in a more proactive manner. With these technology, doctors can make faster and more accurate diagnoses, health administrators can find electronic health information more quickly, and patients can receive more timely and individualized care.