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What is Hepatitis E? |
Hepatitis E (also known as enterically transmitted non-A non-B hepatitis (ET-NANBH), fecal-oral non-A non-B hepatitis,and A-like non-A non-B hepatitis)is is an enterically transmitted viral disease caused by Hepatitis E Virus (HEV).
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How can I become infected with hepatitis E virus (HEV)? |
HEV is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Waterborne and person-to-person spread have been documented. The potential exists for foodborne transmission.
Hepatitis E occurs in both epidemic and sporadic-endemic forms, usually associated with contaminated drinking water. Major waterborne epidemics have occurred in Asia and North and East Africa
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What are the symptoms of Hepatitis E ? |
Hepatitis caused by HEV is clinically indistinguishable from hepatitis A disease. Symptoms include malaise, anorexia, abdominal pain, arthralgia, and fever. The infective dose is not known.
The disease usually is mild and resolves in 2 weeks, leaving no sequelae. The fatality rate is 0.1-1% except in pregnant women. The disease is most often seen in young to middle aged adults (15-40 years old). Pregnant women appear to be exceptionally susceptible to severe disease, and excessive mortality has been reported in this group,that is reported to have a fatality rate approaching 20%.
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If I swallowed the HEV, how quickly would I become sick? |
The incubation period for hepatitis E varies from 2 to 9 weeks.
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What should I do if I think I have Hepatitis E? |
See your health care provider.
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How is Hepatitis E diagnosed? |
Diagnosis of HEV is based on the epidemiological characteristics of the outbreak and by exclusion of hepatitis A and B viruses by serological tests. Confirmation requires identification of virus-like particles by immune electron microscopy in feces of acutely ill patients.
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How is Hepatitis E treated? |
Treatment must be prescribed by a physician.
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How can I reduce the risk of geting Hepatitis E? |
Good sanitation and personal hygiene are the best preventive measures.There is no evidence for immunity against this agent in the developed countries population.
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I am going to travel to a country that has poor sanitary conditions. What should I eat and drink there so I will not become infected with HEV? |
Travelers to developing countries are advised to follow the precautions included under "Risks From Food and Drink For travelers to developing countries".The risk of infection increases with length of stay, visits to rural areas, and eating in places with poor sanitation such as food stands and vendors. However, even the most cautious tourist may be unavoidably exposed.
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Should I be concerned about spreading infection to the rest of my household? |
Yes. However, the risk of spreading infection is low if the infected person practices good personal hygiene. This includes thorough hand washing with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling food and not sharing personal stuff.
This fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider. If you have any questions about the disease described above or think that you may have another one, consult a health care provider.
