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Viral Hepatitis in the Elderly

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Geriatric Diseases

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Abstract

Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by six viruses, called hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G. The review provides an overview of viral hepatitis, prevalence with the main focus on their effects and/or adverse effects. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has a worldwide distribution and is related to the hygienic and sanitary conditions of the region. Hepatitis B is of worldwide concern, is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and is highly infectious. Chronic hepatitis B usually occurs in people who have been infected at an early age. Hepatitis C has been the most frequent cause of acute hepatitis in older people. Most of the elderly with chronic hepatitis C virus infection have acquired the disease earlier in life, and they will present with complications of liver disease mainly cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. About 5% of HBV carriers are anti-HDV positive worldwide. Hepatitis G is often found as a co-infection with other viruses, the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Sydney, Westmead Clinical School, Westmead, NSW, Australia

    Nages Nagaratnam & Kujan Nagaratnam

  2. Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service, Blacktown-Mt Druitt Hospital, Mount Druitt, NSW, Australia

    Gary Cheuk

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  1. Nages Nagaratnam
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  2. Kujan Nagaratnam
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  3. Gary Cheuk
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Nagaratnam, N., Nagaratnam, K., Cheuk, G. (2018). Viral Hepatitis in the Elderly. In: Geriatric Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33434-9_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33434-9_23

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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