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Hepatitis B (Serum Hepatitis, Transfusion Hepatitis)
Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis
Hepatitis A:
Transmitted through close personal contact (oral or fecal)
Affects children and young adults more often
Is not associated with chronic hepatitis or a carrier status
Has an incubation period of 2-6 weeks, followed by an abrupt onset
Hepatitis A IgM will be elevated from 6-14 weeks after infection.
Hepatitis B:
Transmitted parenterally (drug injection or transfusion)
10% become carriers
Has an incubation period of 6-26 weeks, followed by a gradual onset of symptoms and signs.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen appears in the serum from 4-12 weeks following infection
Hepatitis B Core Antibody appears within 6-14 weeks
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody appears 4-10 months following infection, indicating clinical recovery and immunity to the Hep B virus
Normal Values*
Hepatitis A
Negative
Hepatitis B
Negative
Hepatitis, Non-A, Non-B
Negative
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.
Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300
