Hepatitis E history and symptoms

Hepatitis E Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Causes of Hepatitis E
Differentiating Hepatitis E from other Diseases
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Prevention
Hepatitis E history and symptoms On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hepatitis E history and symptoms All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Hepatitis E history and symptoms
CDC on Hepatitis E history and symptoms
Hepatitis E history and symptoms in the news
Blogs on Hepatitis E history and symptoms</small>
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hepatitis E
Risk calculators and risk factors for Hepatitis E history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

History and Symptoms

The incidence of hepatitis E is highest in adults between the ages of 15 and 40. Though children often contract this infection as well, they less frequently become symptomatic. Mortality rates are generally low, for Hepatitis E is a “self-limiting” disease, in that it usually goes away by itself and the patient recovers. However, during the duration of the infection (usually several weeks), the disease severely impairs a person’s ability to work, care for family members, and obtain food. Hepatitis E occasionally develops into an acute severe liver disease, and is fatal in about 2% of all cases. Clinically, it is comparable to hepatitis A, but in pregnant women the disease is more often severe and is associated with a clinical syndrome called as 'fulminant hepatic failure'. Pregnant women, especially those in the third trimester, suffer an elevated mortality rate from the disease ~20%.

• Prolonged cholestasis has been described in up to 60 percent of patients.
• Jaundice
• Malaise
• Anorexia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Hepatomegaly
• Other less common features include diarrhea, arthralgia, pruritus, and urticarial rash. Some patients have asymptomatic infection.