Hepatitis E

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Pathologic jaundice or Hepatitis especially in adults and older children is much more complicated than before. It is caused by different families of viruses. Today six forms of Hepatitis are known:

• Hepatitis A: It is transmitted by oral route due to consumption of infected food and water. Read more>>
• Hepatitis B: It is a sexually transmitted disease. Read more>>
• Hepatitis C: Transmitted by blood transfusion and infected needle. Read more>>
• Hepatitis D: Infection acquired in people already infected with Hepatitis B. Read more>>
• Hepatitis E: Water borne. Read below.
• Chemical Hepatitis: Caused by alcohol, some anesthetics, many drugs.

There are mainly two types of viral hepatitis. One is food-borne and the other blood-borne. The former does not cause chronic liver disease, but the latter, may cause long term chronic liver disease that has lethal consequences later in life.

HepE is caused by infection with Hepatitis virus E (HEV). HepE is a waterborne disease and is transmitted through contaminated water and food.

Who is prone to it?

HepE infection risk is related to poor sanitation. It is most common in developing nations but epidemiological studies suggest a global distribution of the HEV virus.

Transmission

HepE is a waterborne disease and is transmitted through contaminated water and food. There is also a possibility of zoonotic spread of the virus as well, as many non-human primates, pigs, cattle, and rodents are susceptible to infection. Person to person transmission is uncommon and sexual transmission is not reported

Symptoms

HepE is indistinguishable from other forms of Hepatitis.

• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Enlarged liver
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is by blood test or by special test (RT-PCR). Unfortunately such tests are not readily available everywhere. In such cases epidemiological evidence can help to diagnose.

Treatment

At present no vaccine is commercially available. There is no cure available once you are infected so the best way is prevention.

Prevention

Good personal hygiene, good quality water supplies, and proper disposal of sanitary wastes. Avoid drinking water or consuming ice of unknown purity. Do not eat uncooked or improperly cooked food, or prior peeled fruits.

Compiled by: Indrajit Sinha,

Last updated: 02.12.07 © Medhospital Foundation

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