Hepatitis E is a disease caused by the hepatitis E virus, also known as HEV, which can enter the body through contact or consumption of contaminated food and water. This disease is usually asymptomatic, especially in children, and is often fought by the body itself.
Because it is controlled by the immune system itself, hepatitis E does not have a specific treatment, it is only recommended to rest and drink plenty of fluids, as well as try to ensure better hygiene and hygiene conditions, especially when it comes to food preparation.
Hepatitis E is usually asymptomatic, especially in children, however, when symptoms appear, the main ones are:
Symptoms usually appear 15 to 40 days after contact with the virus. Diagnosis is made by looking for antibodies against hepatitis E virus (anti-VHA) in a blood sample or by looking for viral particles in the stool.
Hepatitis E during pregnancy can be quite severe, especially if the woman is in contact with the hepatitis E virus during the third trimester of pregnancy, as it increases the risk of fulminant hepatic impairment and is associated with a higher mortality rate. In addition, this can lead to preterm birth. Understand what fulminant liver failure is and how treatment is performed.
Hepatitis E virus is transmitted by fecal-oral disease, mainly by contact or consumption of water or food contaminated with urine or faeces of sick people.
The virus can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected people, but this mode of transmission is rarer.
There is no vaccine against hepatitis E because it is a benign, self-limiting and rare prognosis disease in Brazil. Thus, the best way to prevent hepatitis E infection is through hygiene measures, such as washing your hands after going to the bathroom and before eating, as well as using only filtered water to drink, prepare or cook food. .
Hepatitis E is self-limiting, that is, it is solved by the body itself and only requires rest, good nutrition and hydration. In addition, if the person is using immunosuppressive medications, such as in transplanted patients, medical evaluation and follow-up are recommended until the disease is resolved, as the hepatitis E virus is controlled by the immune system. If necessary, your doctor may choose to treat a person’s symptoms.
In more severe cases, especially in cases of co-infection with hepatitis C or A virus, the use of antiretroviral drugs, such as ribavirin for example, may be indicated, but should not be used by pregnant women. Learn more about ribavirin.