Discuss the causes, symptoms and dietary management of viral hepatitis.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
1 · Open in two lines. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, most often caused by viruses. Diet helps the liver cells regenerate.
2 · Types and causes.
Viruses A and E (water-borne); B, C, D (blood-borne).
Alcohol, drugs, autoimmune.
3 · Symptoms. Pre-icteric: anorexia, nausea, fever. Icteric: jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, itching.
4 · Draw the diet balance. [Bar chart: carbohydrate high, protein high, fat moderate, fluid high, alcohol nil]
5 · Diet principles. Energy about 35 kcal/kg, protein 1-1.5 g/kg, high carbohydrate, moderate fat, 2.5-3 L fluid, B-complex and vitamin C, small frequent meals, no alcohol.
6 · Foods and menu. Include and avoid lists; a one-day menu with sweet drinks between meals.
7 · Close in one line. With rest and the right diet the liver usually recovers fully from acute hepatitis.
Scoring tip: Name each virus with its route; examiners reward this even in a diet answer.
