Hepatitis E | HEV | Often Found in Contaminated Water
It is important that you always wash your hands after going to the toilet
By Viola Woolcott
Hepatitis E is a self-limiting viral disease, hospitalisation is not required, but may be considered for infected pregnant women. As it is a viral disease, antibiotics are of NO value in the treatment. Considering that there is no specific treatment, prevention is the most effective approach against the infection. The disease is normally followed by recovery.
Hepatitis E can lead to acute hepatitis, but it does not lead to long term damage. However, it has shown some serious infections in women who are in the last three months of pregnancy and reports have been made that at any stage of pregnancy Hepatitis E can cause miscarriages.
The virus is similar to Hepatitis A. It occurs most often by contaminated food as well as water, especially in countries like Asia, Africa, India, Middle East and Central America.
After going to the toilet, it is very important to wash your hands, as the virus will be passed out in the bowel movement of the infected person.
Hepatitis E is NOT transmitted through blood, needles, through sexual contact or other bodily fluids.
Some of the symptoms include:
>> Tiredness
>> Nausea
>> Aches and pains
>> Vomiting
>> Stomach ache
>> Diarrhoea
>> Jaundice
>> Urine may go dark – like Tea
>> Bowel motions may go lighter
The incubation time is between 2-12 weeks and lasts for about 2 weeks after the symptoms appear. HEV can be confirmed by a blood test. To prevent Hepatitis E avoid ice cubes in drinks, don’t eat ice creams, avoid drinking water from the tap as well as cleaning your teeth with tap water in high risk countries.
Filed under: Health and Diet on December 9th, 2007
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