Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is a type of liver disease that causes infection and inflammation. The cause is hepatitis E virus or HEV. HEV can be acquired if a person consumes food or water that is contaminated with human or animal contaminated food.

When affected by this disease, it may include skin and eyes inflammation, abdominal pain, inflammation and liver growth, nausea, vomiting, fever, joint pain, urinary tract blackout, loss of color appetite, and fatigue.

Although there is no vaccine and a specific drug for hepatitis E, this disease can be cured if the patient has a healthy lifestyle. According to doctors, the patient's condition can improve if he rests, eats healthy foods, drinks plenty of water, and abstains from alcohol. However, the doctor may still prescribe certain medications to alleviate preventable symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and so on.

History

Hepatitis E is one of the most common types of hepatitis in the world. In just one year, hepatitis E has affected more than 20 million people. It is most often found in poor countries or areas with poor access to clean water, food, and proper sanitation, such as Africa, Asia, Central America, the Middle East, and others.

In October 2007, there was an epidemic of hepatitis E in Kitgum District of Northern Uganda. It is one of the most widely reported hepatitis E epidemics worldwide. By 2009, the disease had affected 10,196 people and an estimated 160 had died. According to the records, women are more affected by this epidemic.

Besides Uganda, hepatitis E outbreaks were also reported in Maban County in 2012, Nepal (2014), and Namibia of South Africa (2018).

Types

Hepatitis E has two types. It depends on the length and severity of the condition. These include the following:

Acute hepatitis E. In acute hepatitis E, the patient usually recovers immediately because it is short-term or short-term. However, recovery is still based on one's strength of immunity.

Chronic hepatitis E. If the body is unable to resist the virus, the acute may be long-term or longer compared to the acute condition. Patients may also have worse sitnomas and cause various complications.

Causes

Hepatitis E develops when hepatitis E virus (HEV) can enter the liver. This virus can be acquired by the following:

Eating contaminated food. If the food is contaminated with human or animal contaminated food, it may develop hepatitis E. The stool can be contaminated with food if the person who prepared it did not wash hands especially after using the bathroom.

Drinking contaminated water. Without clean water, most people would simply take the river or stream. These forms of water can be contaminated by infected people or animals, so they are not safe to drink.

Feeding of liver and animal liver. Hepatitis E can also be caused by eating liver or animal intestines that are poorly cleaned or cooked. They may still have stains.

Eating contaminated seafood. In addition to the liver and liver of animals, seafood can also cause hepatitis E especially if many people or animals are contaminated with its source.

Eating raw meat. Hepatitis E can also be caused by eating raw or poorly cooked animal meats. Examples of animals that may have hepatitis E virus are pigs, deer, and other hunting animals.

Infection of baby to mother. Although very rare, the baby may have hepatits E in the womb if his mother is affected by this disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hepatitis E do not deviate from the symptoms of other types of hepatitis. A person may be diagnosed with hepatitis if he or she experiences the following:

• Skin irritation and eyes or jaundice
• Stomachache
• Inflammation and growth of the liver
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Pain of joints
• Blackish urine color
• Loss of appetite
• Extreme fatigue

To be sure that these symptoms are hepatitis, the person affected must undergo laboratory tests as recommended by the doctor.

Risk Factors

• People who belong to the following groups are more likely to develop hepatitis E:
• Occupancy in areas with poor sanitation
• Caring for animals
• Drinking water from a river or stream
• Leaning on raw or less cooked foods
• Travel to areas with high rates of hepatitis E
• Dwelling in dense and polluted areas
• Chronic liver disease
• Working with animals
• Pregnant women

Complications

If there is chronic hepatitis E, there can be complications especially if the condition is not treated and managed properly. Some of the possible complications are as follows:

Liver cirrhosis. In liver cirrhosis, the patient's liver is bruised. Because of these lesions, the blood vessels in the liver become blocked.

Liver failure. This condition means liver failure. This usually refers to the last stage of liver failure and usually, liver transplant is the only solution to save the patient's life.

If a pregnant woman has hepatitis E, the following complications may occur:

Abortion in the womb

Premature birth

Birth of a baby with low birth weight

According to doctors, it can also lead to maternal death or the death of a pregnant mother if hepatitis E results in serious complications.

To avoid

To prevent hepatitis E infection, it is recommended to take the following precautions:

Hand washing. Practice hand washing especially after using the bathroom. Use water and soap to wash away any leftovers and need to wash your hands before eating and handling pets.

Filtration and boiling water. If there is no clean water supply, filter and boil the water before drinking. This helps to remove any dirt that is mixed with water and heat acts as a way to extinguish the water.

Cooking meals properly. Make sure the liver, liver, meat, and seafood are properly cooked. Avoid eating them raw because they may still be alive

Cleaning the environment. Keep the environment clean so that flies and cockroaches don't clutter your house. These insects may become infected or eat less and become contaminated.

Pet grooming. Do not let wildlife litter their shelters. Flies can infect it and transfer contaminated food to food. Make sure that after cleaning the folds, wash your hands thoroughly.

According to reports, hepatitis E. mortality is low. If you consult a doctor immediately, there is nothing to worry about. Just follow the doctor's advice and suggestions to cure this disease quickly. Usually, the patient recovers within 4 to 6 weeks.