Hepatitis E virus, qualitative (PCR)

Serum, 1ml

Hepatitis E is an infectious inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV).
The main transmission routes are contaminated food or drinking water, vegetables or fruit fertilised with faeces, and raw or undercooked meat (especially pork and game). Very rarely, the virus can also be transmitted directly via blood, blood products or shared syringes.
The course of hepatitis E is almost always acute and those affected may show symptoms such as fatigue, joint and muscle pain, loss of appetite, nausea, fever, jaundice or enlargement of the liver, spleen or lymph nodes.
However, it is estimated that more than 90% of hepatitis E infections are asymptomatic and most symptomatic cases heal without treatment.

In patients with previous liver damage, immunocompromised patients and pregnant women, a severe course is also possible, which can lead to chronicity of the infection, liver cirrhosis or acute liver failure and even death.