Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Before the discovery of the hepatitis E virus, this disease, together with hepatitis C, D, G, was part of the group of so-called “neither A nor B” hepatitis. The disease is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, that is, from a sick person who excretes the virus in feces. Infection often occurs through water. The prognosis in most cases is favorable, but in women in the last three months of pregnancy, mortality reaches 9-40% of cases.

Susceptibility to viral hepatitis E is universal. Mostly young people aged 15-29 years get sick. The disease is especially common in countries with hot climates and extremely poor water supplies.

Why does this happen?

A sick person can excrete the virus in their feces, after which it enters the intestines of other people with water or food. From the moment of infection to the onset of the disease, 14 to 50 days pass. Hepatitis E begins gradually with indigestion, deterioration in general health, and less often with a short rise in temperature. Unlike hepatitis A, the appearance of jaundice does not improve the health of patients. After 2-4 weeks from the onset of the disease, a reverse development of symptoms and recovery is observed.

Unlike other types of viral hepatitis, severe liver and kidney damage is observed in severe forms of hepatitis E. With hepatitis E, moderate and severe forms of the disease are observed more often than with hepatitis A. Hepatitis E is characterized by a severe course in pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy with a high number of deaths. Fetal death occurs in almost all cases.

Diagnosis

The basis for the assumption of the presence of hepatitis E is the combination of symptoms of acute hepatitis with the characteristics of infection (staying 2-8 weeks before the disease in a region specific for hepatitis E, drinking raw water there, the presence of similar diseases among others). The diagnosis is made on the basis of laboratory signs: the absence of markers of hepatitis A and B in the blood serum. A specific marker confirming the diagnosis of hepatitis E is antibodies to the hepatitis E virus class IgM (anti-HEV IgM), detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the blood serum in acute period of the disease.

Treatment

Actually, there is no cure for hepatitis E. There is no need for this, since in a month or a month and a half there will be complete recovery. The human body is strong enough to get rid of the virus without treatment. Sometimes doctors prescribe symptomatic therapy to eliminate headaches, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms. It is usually recommended to avoid drinking alcohol, which, as a poisonous substance, can weaken an already damaged liver.

Prevention

Prevention of hepatitis E involves following hygiene rules, including washing your hands before eating, drinking only soaked and boiled water, and vaccination. There is a vaccine against hepatitis E that is recommended for people living in endemic regions and planning to travel to such regions. Vaccination is also recommended for pregnant women in endemic areas to prevent the development of severe hepatitis E and reduce the risk of death for both mother and child.

conclusions

Hepatitis E is a serious disease that can lead to severe complications, especially in pregnant women. However, most cases of hepatitis E have a favorable prognosis and resolve without treatment. It is important to maintain good hygiene and, if necessary, get vaccinated to prevent the development of the disease.