How To Know, Symptoms

Acute infection Hepatitis E

Typical signs and symptoms of hepatitis include:

• an initial phase of mild fever, reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting lasting for a few days;
• abdominal pain, itching , skin rash, or joint pain;
• jaundice (yellow color of the skin), dark urine and pale stools; and
• a slightly enlarged, tender liver.

These symptoms typically last 1-6 weeks.

In rare cases, acute hepatitis E can be severe and result in fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure). These patients are at risk of death. Pregnant women with hepatitis E, particularly those in the second or third trimester, are at increased risk of acute liver failure, fetal loss and mortality. Up to 20-25% of pregnant women can die if they get hepatitis E in third trimester, especially with genotypes 1 and 2 HEV infection.

Chronic infection

Cases of chronic hepatitis E infection—lasting longer than 3-6 months—have been reported in immunosuppressed people, particularly organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressive drugs, with genotype 3 or 4 HEV infection. These cases are mostly found in industrialized countries, especially in Europe.