Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hepatitis E history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Acute HEV infection is often asymptomatic. When present, symptoms develop 3 to 8 weeks after exposure to the virus and may include: muscle and joint pain, weakness, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin, clay-colored bowel movements, and dark-colored urine.
History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
Most patients with hepatitis E, especially children with the disease, are asymptomatic. If symptoms occur, the average time is 3 to 8 weeks after exposure, with an average of 40 days. For patients with symptomatic disease, common symptoms may include:[1][2][3]
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin
- Itching
- Clay-colored bowel movements
- Dark-colored urine
- Prolonged cholestasis (60% patients)
- Malaise
- Lack of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash
References
References
- ↑ Kamar N, Bendall R, Legrand-Abravanel F, Xia NS, Ijaz S, Izopet J; et al. (2012). “Hepatitis E.” Lancet. 379 (9835): 2477–88. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61849-7. PMID 22549046.
- ↑ Chau TN, Lai ST, Tse C; et al. (2006). “Epidemiology and clinical features of sporadic hepatitis E as compared with hepatitis A”. Am. J. Gastroenterol. 101 (2): 292–6. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00416.x. PMID 16454833.
- ↑ Wedemeyer H, Pischke S, Manns MP (2012). “Pathogenesis and treatment of hepatitis e virus infection”. Gastroenterology. 142 (6): 1388–1397.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2012.02.014. PMID 22537448.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]