Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was first documented in 1955 during an outbreak in New Delhi. Hepatitis A & Hepatitis E are serious liver diseases caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) and HEV, respectively. Both are transmitted through the faeco-oral route like typhoid, gastroenteritis are. The mixing of contaminated soil into wells and rivers during rains or floods has also been associated with HEV outbreaks. The most common clinical consequence is acute hepatitis. A is more common in children, while E affects adults more. It can have serious consequences in pregnant women.
Symptoms: Abrupt onset of symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fever and right upper abdominal pain, followed by jaundice and hepatomegaly.
Treatment: Diagnosis is done with a blood test (infections are detected by the presence of IgM antibodies in the serum and acute increase in liver enzymes). As hepatitis A & E are usually self-limiting, treatment is supportive, like proper nutrition and analgesics. Only in 1% cases, there may be liver failure.
Prevention: You can protect yourself by following hand hygiene practices. Vaccines for hepatitis A are also available.
Expert Speak: Dr Ajeet Singh Bhadoria, Public Health Specialist, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, says, “Although Hepatitis A vaccine is available in India, there’s a need to include it in the national immunization schedule. Several outbreaks of hepatitis A in India have been recorded in the past decade; almost 50% children in the 1-5 year age-group were found to be susceptible. Two doses are recommended for all hepatitis A vaccines and they are licensed for use in children aged one or older. However, in India, it is preferable to administer the vaccines at age 18 months or older. Vaccination at this age makes it easier to integrate with the existing schedule.”