E-Factor

Colour Code JAUNDICE is not a disease, but a symptom that results in yellowish staining of the skin and whites of the eyes. The col...

	Colour Code
	JAUNDICE is not a disease, but a symptom that results in yellowish staining of the skin and whites of the eyes. The colouring is due to abnormally high levels of bilirubin8212;a result of the breakdown of haemoglobin molecules from worn-out red blood cells, usually secreted as bile8212;in the blood. The yellowing also extends to other tissues and body fluids.

INDIA has one of the highest numbers of Heptatitis E infections in the world, largely because of the low standards of sanitation. The manifestations of the virus range from mild jaundice to even coma and death in severe cases. Since there is no treatment or vaccine against Hepatitis E, prevention is crucial.

What are the various forms of hepatitis?
Hepatitis denotes inflammation of the liver. The suffix A to E represents the responsible virus; E is most common. 8216;8216;Most hepatitis epidemics were triggered by the Hepatitis E virus HEV,8217;8217; says Dr Anil Arora, senior consultant, gastroenterology, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. 8216;8216;Though not recognised as a distinct human disease till 1980, studies show it was the most common virus even in the 1950s.8217;8217;

How does Hepatitis E occur?
It is triggered by infection through the HEV, a non-enveloped, single-strand RNA virus. Human beings are considered a natural host for HEV, though antibodies to HEV or closely-related viruses have been detected in primates and other animal species. The incubation period ranges from three to eight weeks, with a mean of 40 days.

How is it transmitted?
Through the faecal-oral route. It is a waterborne disease; faecally-contaminated water or food supplies8212;especially raw or undercooked shellfish8212;are major suspects. 8216;8216;Most outbreaks in India occur during the rainy season, when drinking water mixes with sewage,8217;8217; says Dr Arora. There is also the possibility of zoonotic transfer, since several domestic animals and rodents are susceptible. But person-to-person communication, even sexually, is uncommon, according to WHO.

Is it life-threatening?
Though Hepatitis E is usually a self-limiting viral infection, a fulminant form can have mortality rates between 0.5 per cent to four per cent. 8216;8216;Fulminant hepatitis occurs frequently during pregnancy, and has a mortality rate of 20 per cent among pregnant women in the third trimester,8217;8217; says Dr Arora. Young children are also vulnerable.

What are the symptoms?
Most common among young adults in the 15-40 age group, symptoms include jaundice, loss of appetite, an enlarged, tender liver, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and fever. For correct diagnosis, the patient8217;s sera has to be tested for specific viral antigens and/or anti-viral antibodies.

What is the best safeguard?
Good personal hygiene, high standards for public water supplies and proper disposal of sanitary waste. In endemic areas, consume only boiled water and self-cooked food.