A client is diagnosed with hepatitis, and the nurse is discussing the disease classification. What is the main difference between acute and chronic hepatitis?

Choice A rationale:

Elevated HCV RNA levels indicate ongoing active viral replication and are not indicative of an effective response to antiviral therapy. The goal of antiviral therapy is to suppress viral replication, leading to decreased or undetectable HCV RNA levels.

Choice B rationale:

Presence of anti-HCV antibodies is a marker of past or current exposure to hepatitis C virus. While it indicates the client's immune response to the virus, it does not provide information about the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in suppressing viral replication.

Choice C rationale:

Detectable HCV core antigen suggests the presence of the virus but does not provide information about viral replication or the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in reducing viral load.

Choice D rationale:

Undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after treatment is considered a sustained virological response (SVR) and indicates an effective response to antiviral therapy. SVR means that the virus is undetectable in the blood even after the completion of treatment, which indicates successful viral clearance.

Choice A rationale:

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through needle sharing, especially in the context of intravenous drug use. Contaminated needles can carry the virus from one person to another.

Choice B rationale:

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood transfusion if the donated blood is infected with the virus. However, routine blood screening has significantly reduced the risk of hepatitis B transmission through blood transfusions.

Choice C rationale:

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. The virus is present in the bodily fluids, including blood and semen, making sexual transmission possible.

Choice D rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Hepatitis B is not typically transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A virus is the one commonly associated with contaminated food or water.

Choice E rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Hepatitis B is not transmitted through inhaling infected air particles. It primarily spreads through blood contact and sexual contact.