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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 water and food. This disease is often asymptomatic, especially in children, and is usually fought by the body itself.
Because it is fought by the immune system itself, hepatitis E has no specific treatment, it is only recommended to rest and drink plenty of fluids, in addition to trying to ensure better sanitation and hygiene conditions, especially with regard to food preparation.
Main symptoms
Hepatitis E is usually asymptomatic, especially in children, however, when symptoms appear, the main ones are:
- Yellow skin and eyes;
- Itchy body;
- Light stools;
- Dark urine;
- Low fever;
- Indisposition;
- Motion sickness;
- Abdominal pain;
- Vomiting;
- Lack of appetite;
- There may be diarrhea.
Symptoms usually appear between 15 and 40 days after contact with the virus. The diagnosis is made by looking for antibodies against the hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) in a blood sample or by looking for viral particles in the stool.
Hepatitis E in pregnancy
Hepatitis E in pregnancy can be quite serious, especially if the woman has contact with the hepatitis E virus in the third trimester of pregnancy, as it increases the risk of fulminant liver failure and is associated with a higher mortality rate. In addition, it can result in premature birth. Understand what fulminant liver failure is and how treatment is done.
How to get hepatitis E
Transmission of the hepatitis E virus occurs via the fecal-oral route, mainly through contact or consumption of water or food contaminated by urine or feces from sick people.
The virus can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected people, but this mode of transmission is more rare.
There is no vaccine for hepatitis E, as it is a disease with a benign, self-limited and rare prognosis in Brazil. Thus, the best way to prevent infection by the hepatitis E virus is through hygiene measures, such as washing your hands after going to the bathroom and before eating, in addition to using only filtered water to drink, prepare or cook food. .
How the treatment is done
Hepatitis E is self-limiting, that is, it is solved by the body itself, requiring only rest, good nutrition and hydration. In addition, if the person is using immunosuppressive drugs, as in transplanted people, medical evaluation and follow-up is recommended until the disease is resolved, because the hepatitis E virus is fought by the immune system. If necessary, the doctor may choose to treat the symptoms presented by the person.
In more severe cases, especially when there is co-infection with the hepatitis C or A virus, the use of antiretroviral drugs, such as Ribavirin, for example, but which should not be used by pregnant women, may be indicated. Learn more about Ribavirin.