Hepatitis E (patient information): Difference between revisions

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==What are the symptoms?==
==What are the 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. [[Medicine|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%.
The [[incubation period]] following exposure to the [[hepatitis E virus]] ranges from three to eight weeks, with a mean of 40 days.
*[[Jaundice]]
 
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.
 
Typical [[signs]] and [[symptoms]] of hepatitis include:
*[[Fever]]
*[[Jaundice]] (yellow discolouration of the skin and sclera of the eyes, dark urine and pale stools)
*[[Malaise]]
*[[Malaise]]
*[[Anorexia_(symptom)|Anorexia]]
*[[Loss of appetite]]
*[[Nausea]]
*[[Nausea]]
*Vomiting
*[[Vomiting]]
*Abdominal pain
*[[Abdominal pain]]
*[[Fever]]
*[[Fever]]
*[[Hepatomegaly]]
*[[Hepatomegaly]]
*Other less common features include [[diarrhea]], arthralgia, [[pruritus]], and urticarial rash. Some patients have asymptomatic infection.
*Other less common features include [[diarrhea]], arthralgia, [[pruritus]], and urticarial [[rash]]
 
Some patients have [[asymptomatic]] [[infection]].
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These symptoms are largely indistinguishable from those experienced during any acute phase of hepatic illness and typically last for one to two weeks.
 
In rare cases, acute hepatitis E can result in fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure) and death. Fulminant hepatitis occurs more frequently during pregnancy. Pregnant women are at greater risk of obstetrical complications and mortality from hepatitis E, which can induce a mortality rate of 20% among pregnant women in their third trimester.
 
Cases of chronic hepatitis E infection have been reported in immunosuppressed people. Reactivation of hepatitis E infection has also been reported in immunocompromised people.


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==

Revision as of 01:56, 28 July 2014

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Hepatitis E

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Hepatitis E?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Hepatitis E On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Hepatitis E

CDC on Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E in the news

Blogs on Hepatitis E

Directions to Hospitals Treating Hepatitis E

Risk calculators and risk factors for Hepatitis E

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S; João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Overview

Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus. The hepatitis E virus is transmitted mainly through contaminated drinking water. It is usually a self-limiting infection and resolves within 4–6 weeks. Occasionally, a fulminant form of hepatitis develops (acute liver failure), which can lead to death.

What are the symptoms?

The incubation period following exposure to the hepatitis E virus ranges from three to eight weeks, with a mean of 40 days.

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.

Typical signs and symptoms of hepatitis include:

Some patients have asymptomatic infection.





These symptoms are largely indistinguishable from those experienced during any acute phase of hepatic illness and typically last for one to two weeks.

In rare cases, acute hepatitis E can result in fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure) and death. Fulminant hepatitis occurs more frequently during pregnancy. Pregnant women are at greater risk of obstetrical complications and mortality from hepatitis E, which can induce a mortality rate of 20% among pregnant women in their third trimester.

Cases of chronic hepatitis E infection have been reported in immunosuppressed people. Reactivation of hepatitis E infection has also been reported in immunocompromised people.

Diagnosis

The following tests are done to identify and monitor liver damage from hepatitis B:

  • Albumin level
  • Liver function tests
  • Prothrombin time
  • Antibody test

Transmission

The hepatitis E virus is transmitted mainly through the fecal-oral route due to fecal contamination of drinking water.

Other transmission routes have been identified, including:

Although humans are considered the natural host for the hepatitis E virus, antibodies to the hepatitis E virus or closely related viruses have been detected in primates and several other animal species.

Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease, and contaminated water or food supplies have been implicated in major outbreaks.

The risk factors for hepatitis E are related to poor sanitation in large areas of the world and shedding of the hepatitis E virus in faeces.

Treatment options

Hepatitis E usually resolves on its own over several weeks to months.

Possible Complications

Chronic hepatitis, Liver failure

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Prognosis mostly is good with only few patients developing chronic hepatitis

Prevention

Improving sanitation is the most important measure, which consists in proper treatment and disposal of human waste, higher standards for public water supplies, improved personal hygiene procedures and sanitary food preparation. Thus, prevention strategies of this disease are similar to those of many others that plague developing nations, and they require large-scale international financing of water supply and water treatment projects. A vaccine based on recombinant viral proteins has been developed

Diseases with similar symptoms

Sources

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/viralhepatitis/#hepe World Health organization


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