What Is Hepatitis E?

An acute viral hepatitis transmitted via contaminated water or zoonotic sources; usually self-limited.

Why Do I Need Evaluation?

You may have acute HEV if you develop:

  • Jaundice, fatigue, nausea
  • Recent travel to endemic areas or undercooked meat consumption

How Should I Prepare?

  • Blood tests: HEV IgM antibodies, liver panel.
  • No imaging prep necessary.

What Happens During Care?

  • Supportive management: rest, hydration, nutrition.
  • Ribavirin in immunocompromised patients under specialist care.

What Can I Expect Afterwards?

  • Recovery within weeks; chronic infection rare except in immunosuppressed.

Risks & Possible Complications

  • Fulminant hepatitis in pregnancy (especially third trimester)
  • Chronic infection in transplant recipients

Follow-Up

  • Monitor liver tests until normalization.