The mortality rate of this disease is 10 times higher than that of hepatitis A. A woman in Xiamen transformed into a "little yellow person" simply because she ate this type of seafood
At the seaside in Xiamen, it is common to see crowds rushing to the sea, especially when the tide is low. Many people dig up some clams and other shellfish to bring home for a delicious meal.
Recently, someone in Xiamen transformed into a "little yellow person" due to itching after eating shellfish caught at the beach and was taken to the hospital
The transaminase in the belly of a woman rushing to the sea to grab scallops is 10 times higher than normal after eating
Recently, 55 year old Ms. Gao suddenly experienced itching, redness, and discomfort on her limbs. Due to Ms. Gao's susceptibility to allergies, she suspected that she had developed another allergy after experiencing discomfort, so she chose to take oral anti allergic medication to relieve it. However, the symptoms did not improve, and there were also symptoms such as anorexia, abdominal distension, fatigue, yellow eyes and yellow urine. After taking traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations to reduce fire, it still did not improve.
In order to clarify the cause, Ms. Gao went to the Gastroenterology Department of Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Xiamen University for examination. Result prompt:
Severe liver dysfunction
Transaminase significantly increased by nearly 10 times compared to normal values
Significant increase in bilirubin
Considering drug-induced liver injury
After receiving liver protection and enzyme lowering treatment
Re examination of liver function indicators did not show a significant decrease
Treatment has encountered difficulties again
Doctor's judgment: Acute hepatitis E may be related to the consumption of unclean seafood
Unknown liver function damage has caught the attention of doctors. The gastroenterologist at Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Xiamen University repeatedly asked the patient's medical history. Ms. Gao carefully recalled the details of her life and obtained an important clue from it:
Recently, I have been out on a trip
I salvaged some shellfish on my own at the beach and brought them home to cook and eat
Maybe eating some unclean food
Combined with further laboratory tests
Hepatitis E virus antibodies IgM and IgG both indicate positivity
Ms. Gao has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis E
After identifying the cause, the doctor treated the patient accordingly, and Ms. Gao's liver function improved significantly. She was later discharged smoothly.
The mortality rate of acute hepatitis E is 10 times higher than that of hepatitis A
The liver, as the metabolic factory of the human body, processes and converts food, drugs, and various harmful substances in the liver. Viral hepatitis is the largest type of liver disease that threatens human health, with hepatitis E virus being particularly important.
The overall HEV IgG serum positivity rate in China is 27.3%
On average, one out of every four people has been infected with hepatitis E
The reported incidence of hepatitis E has exceeded that of hepatitis A for 10 consecutive years
The mortality rate is 10 times higher than that of hepatitis A
Ranked first in acute viral hepatitis
Hepatitis E virus is mainly transmitted through fecal oral, blood, maternal infant, and close contact routes, among which fecal oral transmission is the most common transmission route of HEV. There are multiple exposure transmission possibilities between humans, wild animals, and domesticated animals and HEV RNA, becoming a global public health issue involving humans, animals, and the environment. Studies have shown that consuming unpasteurized and contaminated milk may pose a risk of contracting hepatitis E virus in humans.
Vaccination can be administered to high-risk populations to prevent hepatitis E
Dr. Chen Ligang, Chief Physician of the Department of Gastroenterology at Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, explained that according to the latest research, hepatitis E virus infection not only presents symptoms related to acute infection, but also has a trend of slowing down. Many patients with hepatitis E virus infection first exhibit extrahepatic clinical manifestations, which are prone to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
Livestock breeders, travelers from epidemic areas, catering industry personnel, and collective residents are high-risk groups for hepatitis E virus infection. Patients with chronic liver disease, women of childbearing age, and the elderly, among other high-risk groups, may experience more severe symptoms after being infected with hepatitis E virus. If liver function abnormalities are found in the above two groups of people, extra caution is needed to actively investigate acute hepatitis E virus infection. The latest version of China's consensus on the prevention and treatment of hepatitis E suggests that these two groups of people should receive recombinant hepatitis E vaccine according to the 0, 1, and 6 month program.
As the saying goes, "illness enters through the mouth."
Doctors remind everyone
Mid Autumn Festival and National Day are coming soon
Be sure to pay attention to food hygiene when going out to play!