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Information to Live By:
Hepatitis E
What
is hepatitis E?
Hepatitis E, known as Enteric non-A, non-B, is a viral hepatitis that
is most commonly found in geographical areas lacking clean water and sanitation.
How
common is hepatitis E?
It is not common or typical in countries or areas with clean drinking
water and adequate environmental sanitation. Typically, people diagnosed
with hepatitis E have become infected during travels to or stays in geographical
areas lacking clean water or sanitation.
How
can I get hepatitis E?
Hepatitis E is transmitted through oral contact with feces. This is
primarily through contaminated water sources and a lack of sanitation.
Transmission from person to person appears to be uncommon.
What
are the signs or symptoms of hepatitis E?
Symptoms of hepatitis E resemble those of hepatitis
A:
- Low-grade fever
- Malaise (feeling
of ill-health)
- Anorexia (lack
of appetite)
- Nausea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Dark colored urine
- Jaundice
Hepatitis E is
not known to cause chronic infection.
How
can I find out if I have hepatitis E?
There are no specific blood tests commercially available for detecting
HEV antigen or antibodies. There are diagnostic tests available in research
laboratories. Talk to your health care provider about testing.
What
can I do to reduce my risk of getting hepatitis E?
When traveling to geographical areas where the water supply is doubtful:
- Avoid drinking
the water unless it is sealed bottled water.
- Avoid using local
ice.
- Avoid uncooked
shellfish.
- Avoid uncooked
fruits or vegetables that are not peeled or prepared by the traveler.
What
is the treatment for hepatitis E?
Most people with hepatitis E experience a self-limited illness (one
that runs a defined, limited course) and go on to recover completely.
There is no accepted therapy, nor restrictions on diet or activity.
In most cases, hospitalization should be considered for people who are
severely ill for provision of supportive care.
Why
worry about hepatitis E?
Pregnant women who become infected with HEV are at greater risk of
death. The fatality rate may reach 15 to 20% among women during pregnancy.
Epidemics have occurred
in Asia, Africa, and Mexico; travelers to developing nations might be
at risk, but this virus is not likely to be a problem in the United States.
Do
I need to talk to my partner about hepatitis E?
No. Hepatitis E is primarily transmitted by contaminated drinking
water and is not thought to be sexually transmitted.
Should
I talk to my health care provider about hepatitis E?
Outbreaks of hepatitis E have occurred in Asia, Africa and Mexico,
as well as in other geographical areas lacking a clean water source and
sanitation. If you think you may be infected with hepatitis E, talk to
your health care provider about testing.
There is no vaccine
to prevent hepatitis E, therefore the only way to protect yourself is
to avoid contaminated food or water.
Where
can I get more information?
If you have additional questions about hepatitis E, call the National
STD and AIDS
Hotlines at 1-800-342-2437 or 1-800-227-8922. The hotlines are open 24
hours a day, seven days a week. For information in Spanish call 1-800-344-7432,
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Eastern Time, seven days a week. For the Deaf and
Hard-of-Hearing call 1-800-243-7889, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday. The hotlines provide referrals and more answers
to your questions.
Other Resources
Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
Viral Hepatitis Division and National
Immunziation Program
Hepatitis Foundation International
American
Liver Foundation
Immunization
Action Coalition (IAC)
Parents
of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKID)
Find
information about other STDs
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