We take lot of precautions and try to eat completely safe food. Yet the food can make us sick as it may carry viruses of Hepatitis A and E. This virus affects the liver and it multiplies there. Within fourteen to sixty days hepatitis E symptoms starts showing.

The symptoms vary in intensity from person to person. Some even have mild or go unnoticed. Hepatitis A and E are similar on terms of diseases. The only good thing about all this is that hepatitis can be prevented.

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is a disease that causes inflammation in the liver. There are plenty of infectious and non-infectious causes behind this. However, studies have shown that Hepatitis A and E can be conveyed through contaminated food and water. Hepatitis E is mostly found affecting people of developing countries and is more transferred due to contaminated water.

Spread of Hepatitis A and E Viruses

Hepatitis viruses are infectious and can be transferred from person to person. They can also get hepatitis by eating contaminated food and beverages. Food can get contaminated if the food handler does not wash his hands properly before touching the food and after using the washroom.

If any food item gets contaminated during the time of harvest, manufacturing and processing, it may cause sickness. The common food sources are:

• Raw fruits and vegetables
  
  
• Raw and uncooked shellfish
  

• Contaminated water

Symptoms and Treatment for Hepatitis A and E Diseases

Symptoms vary from person to person and they have a wide range of symptoms. Where some people do not show any symptom, some might get sick with severe warning signs. However the symptoms are seen within two to seven weeks after the person gets infected by the virus.

Common symptoms are as follows:

• Loss of appetite
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Yellow skin and eyes like jaundice
  
  
• Stomach cramps
  
  
• Dark urine

Usually the symptoms last for one or two weeks. The illness does not become chronic for healthy adults. It is dangerous and fatal for pregnant women. The only thing is that most of the children and many adults do not show any symptom of the diseases yet carry the virus.

Preventing Hepatitis A and E Diseases

‘Prevention is better than cure’. You must have heard this popular saying and here this is the best way to keep yourself healthy. The following tips will prevent you from Hepatitis A and E:

• Wash your hands before eating and after using the washroom.
  
  
• Wash your hands properly after changing diapers.
  
  
• When traveling, drink only treated and safe water, eat freshly coked food, avoid raw fruits and vegetables specially the ones that are not peeled off.
  
  
• If possible take vaccination for Hepatitis A before traveling.
  
  
• If you show any of the symptoms, consult your doctor immediately and do not pour water or serve food for anyone.

Treatments for Hepatitis A and E Virus Infection 

Along with medicines, following are some key steps that are going to help you get quick relief.

• Eat nutritious food and get sufficient calories by eating early in the day.
  
  
• Get plenty of rest so that your body is capable of fighting the virus.
  
  
• Drink plenty of fluids like 10 – 12 glasses of water and fluids that do not contain caffeine.
  
  
• Avoid alcohol and medicines that harm liver.
  
  
• Try to do light exercise daily.