Would you like to make this site your homepage? It's fast and easy...
Yes, Please make this my home page!
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E (HEV) is an epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis virus.
The disease is believed to be caused by more than one virus. Currently, there
is not a blood test available to detect the HEV viruses. It occurs primarily
after natural disasters and is spread through fecal-contaminated food and water.
Most people do not develop any symptoms. Those who do complain of fatigue, lack
of appetite, jaundice, and in some cases nausea and vomiting. There is no cure
for hepatitis D. The patient should get plenty of bed rest, drink plenty of
fluids, and avoid alcoholic beverages because they place too great a demand
on the already damaged liver. If not treated, hepatitis E could lead to chronic
hepatitis. About 10% of the people who contract HEV will go on to acquire chronic
hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis is an intense and progressive inflammation and
destruction of the liver cells. Cirrhosis often develops. When cirrhosis of
the liver develops, internal scaring (fibrosis) breaks up the normal structure
of the liver. The undamaged cells multiply to form regeneration nodules. These
nodules are inadequately supplied with blood, and as a result, over time, liver
function is gradually impaired. In the United States about 30,000 deaths occur
annually due to cirrhosis.
