What is hepatitis E?

Caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), hepatitis E causes liver inflammation and is of greater concern in pregnant women and people with some type of immunodeficiency. In general, hepatitis E is self-limiting and has a short duration.

Symptoms

Children with hepatitis E rarely show symptoms. In young people and adults, when symptoms occur, they are similar to those of other types of hepatitis, such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, yellowish skin and eyes, and dark urine.

Causes

The infection is fecal-oral, as in hepatitis A. That is, it occurs when the feces of an infected person come into contact with another person's mouth, mainly through the consumption of water and food of unknown origin, due to basic sanitation issues and during sex.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of hepatitis E is made through blood and stool tests.

Prevention Method

Keeping hands sanitized, cleaning raw foods, consuming drinks and foods from known sources, and using condoms during oral sex are some of the precautions to avoid hepatitis E.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis E. The doctor may prescribe medications to relieve symptoms until the disease goes away on its own, as well as deal with any complications.

Duration

Hepatitis E lasts from two to six weeks until the body eliminates the causative virus.

Is it contagious?

Hepatitis E is contagious via the fecal-oral route.

Can it be contracted more than once?

Hepatitis E can be contracted more than once.

By Einstein Editorial Board