Infectious hepatitis is a systemic infection that predominantly affects the liver. The clinical course of the disease is variable and ranges from asymptomatic acquisition through to severe acute hepatitis resulting in fulminant liver failure. A number of patients can develop chronic infection from either the hepatitis B or C virus. This article will consider the diagnosis, management and prevention of the most-common forms of infectious hepatitis, the management of hepatitis in pregnancy, and the management of occupational exposure in the primary care setting.
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