Hepatitis E: What You Need to Know

What is Hepatitis E?

Although rare in developed countries, hepatitis E is widespread in the developing world. In the vast majority of people, hepatitis E infection results in a self-limited, acute illness.

Basic Facts

• Hepatitis E is not commonly acquired in the United States
• Most cases of hepatitis E in the United States occur among people who have traveled to a developing country
• Hepatitis E is most common in developing countries with inadequate water supply and poor environmental sanitation

How it Spreads

Hepatitis E is most commonly spread by drinking contaminated water. In the United States and other developed countries, people have gotten sick with hepatitis E after eating raw or undercooked pork, venison, or wild boar meat.

Symptoms

Many people with hepatitis E, especially young children, do not have any symptoms. Others may experience one or more of these symptoms:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored stool
• Joint pain
• Jaundice

Diagnosis & Treatment

Hepatitis E can only be diagnosed with laboratory tests ordered by your healthcare provider. If you are having symptoms of hepatitis E, see your healthcare provider. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis E yet. Most people get better by treating their symptoms.

Prevention

No vaccine is available to protect against hepatitis E. You can lower your risk by drinking only purified water when visiting countries where hepatitis E is common and by avoiding raw or undercooked pork, venison, or wild boar meat.

Source: cdc.gov