On Viral Hepatitis E - Part 2

      Causative Organism:

      

      It is a viral illness caused by hepatotropic (loves to infect liver) RNA virus.

Mode of transmission:

Faeco - oral transmission due to compromised water, sanitation and hygiene

Sign and symptoms:

Generalized weakness / lethargy / nausea and vomiting / Jaundice

Complications:

Acute fulminant hepatic failure especially during pregnancy

Diagnosis:

•          Clinical diagnosis
•          Serological diagnosis

Preventive measures:

•             Hygiene (hand washing,  clean water and proper sanitation)
•             Control of patient, contacts and the immediate environment
•       Epidemic measure through proper epi investigation
•       Vaccination (still it needs more research / evidence  for justification to its use in the community)

      

      More on HEV in Nepal:

      1. http://www.kumj.com.np/issue/16/530-544.pdf

      2. http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-4-431-68255-4_104

Refer to Part 1: On viral hepatitis: http://anujinhimalayas.blogspot.kr/2014/07/on-viral-hepatitis.html