what is hepatitis e? hepatitis e vaccine?hev virus

                                       

                     HEPATITIS E

 The infection caused by the hepatitis E virus(HEV) which was discovered in 1990, is essentially a waterborne disease. Formerly termed enterically transmitted hepatitis non-A, non-B. HEV is a 29nm to 32nm RNA virus. Water or food supplies contaminated by faeces in which the virus is excreted have been implicated in major outbreaks reported in all parts of the world that have a hot climate. After an incubation period of 2-10 weeks, with an average of 5 to 6 weeks, a self-limiting acute viral hepatitis appears,lasting for a period of several weeks,which is followed by recovery.No case of chronic disease has been reported.Mainly young adults,aged 15-40 years, have been affected by acute hepatitis E.The virus has at least 4 different types: genotypes 1,2,3 and 4.Genotypes 1 and 2 have been found only in humans .Genotypes 3 and 4 circulate in several animals(including pigs,wild boars, and deer) without causing any disease, and occassionally infect humans.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

• An initial phase of mild fever,anorexia,nausea and vomiting, lasting for a few days, some persons may also have abdominal pain, itchng, skin rash, or joint pain.
• Jaundice with dark urine and pale stools
• Slightly enlarged, tender liver( hepatomegaly)

DIAGNOSIS:

      Diagnosis is made by the level of anti-HEV antibodies in the serum.No confirmatory assay is currently available.Anti-HEV IgM antibodiies have been determined; however,their usefulness for the diagnosis of acute hepatitis E infection remains to be confirmed.

TREATMENT:

  There is no specific treatment capable of altering the course of acute hepatitis E.As the disease is usually self-limiting,hospitalization is generally not required.Most important is the avoidence of unnecessary medications. Hospitalization is required for people with fulminant hepatitis, and should also be considered for symptomatic pregnant women.Immunosuppressed people with chronic hepatitis E benefit from specific treatment using ribavirin.

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