What
is hepatitis E?
Hepatitis E, also known as enteric non-A, non-B hepatitis,
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 in countries or areas with clean drinking
water and adequate environmental sanitation. Typically, people
diagnosed with hepatitis E have become infected during travels
to geographical areas lacking clean water or sanitation.
How
can I get hepatitis E?
Like hepatitis A, hepatitis E is transmitted through oral
contact with feces (poop). This is primarily through contaminated
water sources and a lack of sanitation. Unlike hepatitis A, spreading
the virus from person to person (ie: oral-anal sex) is not common.
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)
- Fatigue
(feeling tired all the time)
- Anorexia
(loss of appetite)
- Nausea
(feeling like vomiting)
- Abdominal
discomfort (stomach pain)
- Dark-colored
urine
- Jaundice
(yellow skin and eyes)
Hepatitis
E is not known to cause chronic (long lasting) infection.
How
can I find out if I have hepatitis E?
There are no commercial blood tests available for detecting
hepatitis E. There are, however, diagnostic tests available
in research laboratories. Talk to your health care provider about
testing if you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis E.
What
can I do to reduce my risk of getting hepatitis E?
When traveling to geographical areas where the water supply
is questionable:
- 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 you
What
is the treatment for hepatitis E?
Most people with hepatitis E experience what’s called
“self-limited illness” (one that runs a defined, limited
course) and go on to recover completely. There is no accepted
therapy, and there are no restrictions on diet or activity.
In most cases, people who are severely ill should consider hospitalization
for supportive care.
Why
worry about hepatitis E?
Pregnant women who become infected with hepatitis E could
die. The disease can cause death in up to 20% of pregnant women
who are infected.
Epidemics
(outbreaks) 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?
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 you
is to avoid contaminated
food or water.
Where
can I get more information?
If you have additional questions about hepatitis A, call the CDC’s
National STD and AIDS Hotlines at 800-342-2437
or 800-227-8922. The hotlines are open 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. For information in Spanish call 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 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
CDC’s
Division of Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis
Foundation International
American Liver Foundation
Immunization
Action Coalition (IAC)
Parents
of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKID)
