Quick facts about hepatitis E

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-01-28

When it comes to hepatitis virus, the first reaction may be hepatitis B, but you don't know much about hepatitis E. In fact, hepatitis viruses can be divided into five types: A, B, C, D, and E. So what is hepatitis E, what are the symptoms of hepatitis E, how to prevent it, and how?

What is hepatitis E?

The full name of hepatitis E is viral hepatitis E, which is mostly acute onset and mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route, and contaminated water or food can cause outbreaks. Pregnant women and the elderly have a high incidence of severe disease after infection, and the incidence is high in winter and spring, and they can be infected multiple times, but the prognosis is generally good.

How is hepatitis E transmitted?

Hepatitis E is eaten.

Ordering a few skewers of barbecue, eating some seafood, and drinking a few cans of beer at a food stall is the "first choice" for many friends to have a supper. However, if you eat seafood or meat that is not grilled, you can be infected with hepatitis E. This is because the most important route of transmission of hepatitis E is the "fecal-oral" route. In other words, eating food contaminated with the hepatitis E virus.

Pigs are considered to be the most important natural reservoir for the hepatitis E virus (deer, cats, ferrets, etc., and even in rabbits and cattle), and it has been reported from all over the world in raw or undercooked pig liver. In addition, the gills of shellfish absorb water, filtering viruses from the water and retaining them in the body.

Hepatitis E is often caused by raw or undercooked eHealth virus-containing organ meats, as well as shellfish such as cockles and clams. In addition, cutting boards for both seafood and cooked food can also cause the spread of viruses if pathogens hidden in the texture of the cutting board infect cooked food.

Once the water is contaminated with the virus, there is also the possibility of infection after drinking it raw. For example, after a flood, it is easy to cause an epidemic of hepatitis E.

In addition, hepatitis E can be infected by close contact with a person with hepatitis E (e.g., caring for the patient, sharing food or drinking glasses, etc.), intravenous blood or blood products containing the hepatitis E virus, and organ transplantation. Pregnant women can also transmit the hepatitis E virus to their newborns during pregnancy and childbirth.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis E infection?

Hepatitis E is an acute, self-limiting disease. After most young adults are infected with hepatitis E, the condition is not serious, about 2 3 of the infected patients have no obvious discomfort or mild clinical manifestations, and liver function suggests mild abnormalities in liver enzymes such as aminotransferases, which are not easy to find. 5% and 30% of patients infected with hepatitis E present with acute jaundice hepatitis, and patients have symptoms similar to gastrointestinal colds in the early stage, manifested as chills and fever, fatigue and weakness, loss of appetite, nausea and anorexia, vomiting and epigastric discomfort, etc., and abnormal liver function was found on examination. About 1 week after the onset of the disease, the sclera was yellow, the urine color deepened, the body temperature returned to normal, the gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting were reduced, and the liver function was obviously abnormal. Hepatitis E has a long course and may last up to 1 to 3 months. Even more than half a year.

How can I prevent hepatitis E?

Comprehensive measures are mainly taken to cut off the routes of transmission. Protecting water sources, preventing manure management, paying attention to food hygiene, improving sanitation facilities, paying attention to personal hygiene, etcIt is necessary to close the "entrance", drinking water must be boiled, hands must be washed before and after meals, food must be thoroughly cooked before eating, do not eat raw food, and try not to eat unhygienic food such as roadside stalls;Do not share utensils, divide the meal system, the dishes and chopsticks must be separated and disinfected, and wash your hands carefully according to the handwashing steps.

To protect humans from hepatitis E, experts have developed a hepatitis E vaccine that has proven safe and effective for people over 16 years of age. In particular, it is recommended to vaccinate key high-risk groups, such as livestock breeders, travelers in epidemic areas, catering workers, students, etc., as well as patients with chronic liver disease, women of childbearing age, and the elderly who may become seriously ill after infection. Although hepatitis E vaccination is not as protective as hepatitis A vaccine, it can reduce the risk of severe hepatitis E.

How is hepatitis E**?

Hospitalization for acute hepatitis**, appropriate rest, reasonable nutrition as the mainstay, supplemented by selective use of drugs. Alcohol should be abstained from, overwork should be prevented, and liver-damaging drugs should be avoided. The use of medicine should be simple and not complicated. During the recovery period, it is important to take rest.

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