Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is spread through food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says this disease is uncommon in the United States. This is, however, a common cause of acute hepatitis in underdeveloped areas of the world and travelers to these areas can acquire this form of hepatitis. International travelers are most at risk. (Read about "Travel and Health")

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms include:

• jaundice (Read about "Jaundice")
• fatigue
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• joint pain
• dark (tea colored) urine

Since cases of hepatitis E are not easily distinguishable from other types of acute viral hepatitis, diagnosis is made by blood tests (Read about "Laboratory Testing") which detect elevated antibody levels of specific antibodies to hepatitis E, according to the World Health Orgainization.

Preventive measures include avoiding tap water when traveling internationally and practicing good hygiene and sanitation. Hepatitis E can resolve on its own over several weeks to months. But there can also be complications. Pregnant women are prone to have severe hepatitis from this virus.

There are no known means of prevention or cure of hepatitis E other than strict hygienic precautions when visiting areas where hepatitis E is common.

Related Information:

    Microorganisms

    Blood Donation Guidelines

    Hepatitis A

    Hepatitis B

    Hepatitis C

    Hepatitis D

    Liver Cancer

    Digestive System

    Encephalopathy