Hepatitis E is a viral infection that attacks the liver, it can cause new acute or chronic disease in the liver. There are different types of hepatitis E viruses that have spread in different ways such as drinking contaminated water, eating uncooked meat, etc.
Hepatitis E is more common in developing countries, where sanitation is poor and access to clean water is limited. Types of hepatitis E that are common in developing countries, especially in pregnant women, are likely to cause serious infections.
Type of Hepatitis E
1- Acute hepatitis E is a short-term infection. In most cases, people are able to heal the body and fight the infection and the virus goes away after several weeks people usually get better without treatment.
2- Chronic hepatitis E, a long-lasting infection that occurs when the body is not able to fight the virus and the virus cannot be overcome. Chronic hepatitis E is rare and occurs only in people with a weakened immune system, for example, in patients with organ transplantation, HIV, or AIDS.
Complications of Hepatitis E
Most people in acute hepatitis E, recover without any complications. In some cases, acute hepatitis E can cause liver failure. Acute liver failure due to hepatitis E is more common
- Pregnant Woman
- People who have other liver diseases
- In pregnant women, hepatitis E can cause other complications for the mother and child, such as Stillbirth, premature birth, etc.
Chronic hepatitis E occurs only in people with weakened immune systems – such as cirrhosis or liver failure – can cause complications.
Symptoms of Hepatitis E
- feeling tired
- nausea and vomiting
- fever
- Loss of appetite
- pain over the liver, in the upper part of the abdomen
- Thickening of urine darkening of the color of urine
- lightening of the color of stool
- a yellowish tint to the whites of the eyes and skin called jaundice
Causes of Hepatitis E
In developing countries, hepatitis E is usually transmitted through drinking contaminated water.
In developed countries, hepatitis E is generally spread from animals to people, when people eat undercut pork or wild animals, such as deer.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E is diagnosed by physicians based on symptoms and blood tests.
Blood tests can detect antibodies in the hepatitis E virus.
Treatment of Hepatitis E
Treatment for acute hepatitis E involves eating healthy food to help relax, drink a lot of fluids, and relieve symptoms.
Talk to your doctor before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or other dietary supplements.
See your doctor regularly to ensure that your body is fully cured.
Doctors can treat chronic hepatitis E from peginterferon alfa-2a alpha-2a (pegasis).
Are hepatitis E vaccines available?
No vaccine is available for hepatitis E. A vaccine has been made but it is used only in China.
If infected with hepatitis E, you should eat a balanced, healthy diet. Talk to your doctor about healthy eating you should also avoid alcohol as it can cause more liver damage.