الفهرس 
AcknowledgementOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 104 |  |  |
| | | from | 104 | | |
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is still an important public bealth ~oblem. It has a world wide distribution and the presence of subclinical and anicteric cases that acts as a source ~ infection occured at a r~te of about ten cases for each ~tient in developing countries. Several distinct infectiops affecting predominently the liver. They are similar in many ways but differ in etiology and in some epidemiologic, clinical and pathologic characteristics. These viruses include viral hepatitis At B, e, D and E. The study aimed to investigate the personal and ,environmental cbaracterist ics of viral hepatitis cases and the carrir state resulting from hepatitis B cases. Together with investigating the possible routes of intrafamilial tr ansmission. The study was carried out on viral hepatitis cases admitted to the communicable Diseases Hospi tal in Alexandria for one calender year start ing 1st May 1986 till 30 April 1987. All cases admitted on saturday throughout, the study period were included. The Total number of cases ~ounted to 401 hepatitis patients. The required data were collected through a questionnaire interview with the patient or one of his relatives if he or she is a child. All cases were examined clinically and a blood s~ple was taken for seriological diagnosis.~ The discharged cases and their contacts were followed for one year to determine the carrier state of hepatitis B cases and secondary cases among contacts. The study revealed the following results; - All ages are susceptibles to viral hepatitis but differs according to the type. Viral hepatitis A was more prevalent among those below 15 years of age and type B were more among those aged 15 to less than 25 years. - The study showed a male preponderance among cases. - The majority of cases were illiterate and engaged in manual works. - A high proprtion of cases were living under low sanitary conditions as indicated from the crowding index and the sanitary condition of their homes - Cases of hepatitis were prevalent all the year round in both sexes with slight increase in males in october. - Most cases of hepatitis A gave a positive history of contact with a jaundiced case while those suffering from hepatitis B gave a positive history of operations and injections. Those of other types gave a positive his40ry of blood transfusion. Abdominal distress was the main presenting symptoms in both sexes, in addition to Jaundiced sclera and dark urine. Fever was prominent among children. - The duration of the sY,illptoms before admission was 7-20 days among the majority of cases - Liver enlargement was felt in most of the cases while enlarged spleen was ’found in 4~ about of cases. - Recovery is the r&le in hepatitis but not all the admitted cases were discharged with complete cure. About 7~ of the cases were completely cured at discharge