Table 3.68.
Comparative features of more common forms of viral hepatitis relevant to dentistry
| A (infectious) | B (serum) | C (Non-A non-B-) | D (delta agent) | E | G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prevalence in developed world | Common; 40% urban populations | Uncommon; about 5–10% of general populations | Uncommon; about 1–5% of general populations | In countries with low prevalence of chronic HBV infection, HDV prevalence is low among both HBV carriers (< 10%) and patients with chronic hepatitis (< 25%) | Rare, except in endemic areas in Far East | Uncommon; about 1–2% of general populations |
| Type of virus | Picornaviridae (RNA) | Hepadnaviridae (DNA) | Flaviviridae (RNA) | Delta virus (RNA) | RNA | Flaviviridae (RNA) |
| Incubation | 2–6 weeks | 2–6 months | 2–22 weeks | 3 weeks to 2 months | 2–9 weeks | ? |
| Main route of transmission | Faecal–oral | Parenteral | Parenteral | Parenteral | Faecal–oral | Parenteral |
| Vaccine available | + | + | – | – | – | – |
| Severity | Mild | May be severe | Moderate | Severe | May be severe | No consequences known |
| Complications |
|
Relatively few Chronic liver disease in 10–20% Hepatocarcinoma Polyarteritis nodosa Chronic glomerulonephritis Acute mortality 1–2% | Many Chronic liver disease in > 70% Hepatocarcinoma | Can cause fulminant hepatitis | Rare, except in pregnancy | – |