With hepatitis E, the liver becomes inflamed. The disease usually heals on its own without complications. How you can become infected and what symptoms occur.
A typical sign of hepatitis E is jaundice
The main source of infection in Germany is undercooked meat
A severe course is possible in high-risk patients
With hepatitis, the liver becomes inflamed. In addition to the consumption of liver-damaging substances (e.g. alcohol) and certain immune system diseases, common causes include infections with hepatitis viruses. There are five virus strains that cause hepatitis. They are designated by the letters A, B, C, D and E and differ in their transmission routes. The different forms of hepatitis that they cause also differ in their progression.
The alphabetically consecutive name occasionally leads to the assumption that there are other forms of hepatitis, for example hepatitis F or G. However, this is not the case.
What is hepatitis E?
One Infection with hepatitis–E–Viruses (HEV) is usually acute. The inflammation heals within six months. Chronic courses for more than six months, as often occurs with hepatitis C, for example, are rare in hepatitis E and occur almost exclusively in people with a pronounced immune deficiency. These include, for example, people infected with HIV as well as people who are receiving chemotherapy or whose immune system is suppressed with medication after an organ transplant. Their immune system is not always able to completely eliminate the pathogen.
Transmission of viral infection
There are a total of seven hepatitis E viruses different “Subtribes“ (Genotypes) with different transmission paths. Genotypes 1 to 4 are important pathogens in humans.
Genotype 3 is mainly found in Europe. Like genotype 4, which is widespread in parts of Asia, it not only affects humans, but also various wild and domestic animals. The transmission almost always takes place through the Eating contaminated and undercooked meat, in most cases pork or wild boar meat. The virus is occasionally found in seafood. Transmission through blood reserves, shared drug equipment or organ transplants is also possible. Only very rarely does hepatitis E spread directly from person to person. Sexual transmission of the hepatitis E virus has not yet been observed and is therefore considered unlikely based on current knowledge. Transmission through body fluids such as saliva, for example when kissing, is not known.
Genotypes 1 and 2 are mainly widespread in tropical and subtropical countries in Asia, Africa and Central and South America. You will be over human feces, contaminated drinking water and less commonly transmitted via contaminated objects (smear infection).
What symptoms does hepatitis E cause?
In most cases, a hepatitis E infection has no symptoms. Sometimes it happens too non-specific, flu-like symptoms such as a general feeling of illness, increased temperature, tiredness, lack of appetite, vomiting, nausea or joint and muscle pain.
In rarer cases, the typical symptoms of liver inflammation also occur. This primarily includes jaundice, in which the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow. Other possible symptoms of hepatitis are:
dark colored urine
light, discolored stool
Fever
Upper abdominal discomfort
severe itching
Enlargement of the liver, spleen and lymph nodes
Some groups of people have an increased risk of a particularly serious clinical picture, which experts call fulminant hepatitis describe. It can lead to acute liver failure and be fatal. It mainly affects people with previous liver diseases or immunodeficiency and pregnant women.
One develops chronic hepatitis Ethis can be a long-term consequence Cirrhosis of the liver lead. The liver tissue is progressively replaced by connective tissue. The liver gradually loses its function, in the worst case leading to complete liver failure. However, such processes are extremely rare in this country.
How long is hepatitis E contagious?
The incubation period, i.e. the time between infection and the first symptoms, is around 15 to 64 days for the hepatitis E virus. How long those affected are contagious, has not been conclusively clarified. The virus can be detected in stool in symptomatic people about four weeks after the onset of jaundice. This means that infection with hepatitis E is theoretically possible. The risk of infection is highest during the acute phase of the illness. In the case of chronic hepatitis, it cannot be ruled out that those affected are permanently contagious.
Ban on work if you have hepatitis E?
A hepatitis E infection leads does not generally lead to a ban on work. An exception applies to people who
in food establishments work and come into contact with the food produced there
in Kitchens in restaurants or community facilities work
In community facilities, those affected are not allowed to carry out any activities in which they come into contact with the people being cared for there. For the heads of such institutions a reporting requirement at the health department if carers or people being cared for are ill with hepatitis E or there is a suspicion of an illness.
What to do if you have hepatitis E?
Even if hepatitis E is symptomatic, it almost always heals within a few weeks on its own. Treatment is therefore usually not necessary. However, people who have been diagnosed with the disease should be careful about their Don’t put unnecessary strain on your liverfor example through alcohol, fatty foods or liver-damaging medications.
If symptoms arise, they may be able to be alleviated with suitable medication. One antiviral therapyi.e. a treatment that is directed against the virus that causes it, usually comes only in chronic or severe cases for use. If liver failure occurs, a transplant is required.
Prevent hepatitis E
For people with an increased risk of severe disease, it is advisable to protect themselves from infection as best as possible:
In risk areas, only drink bottled or boiled water and avoid ice cubes.
Only consume fruits and vegetables peeled.
Avoid ice cream and raw foods such as salad and seafood.
Pay particular attention to good personal hygiene, especially washing your hands regularly.
In Germany, the hepatitis E virus is primarily transmitted through meat. Infection can be avoided by: Cook meat well before eating: Temperatures above 70 degrees for at least 20 minutes render the hepatitis E virus harmless.
There is no vaccination against hepatitis E in Germany.
Notice: This information has been carefully researched, but does not replace the advice of a doctor. All statements without guarantee.