Hepatitis E natural history

Natural History
The incubation period following exposure to HEV ranges from 3 to 8 weeks, with a mean of 40 days. The period of communicability is unknown. There are no chronic infections reported.

Hepatitis E virus causes acute sporadic and epidemic viral hepatitis. Symptomatic HEV infection is most common in young adults aged 15-40 years. Although HEV infection is frequent in children, it is mostly asymptomatic or causes a very mild illness without jaundice (anicteric) that goes undiagnosed.

Complications

 * Chronic hepatitis
 * Liver failure

Prognosis
Prognosis mostly is good with only few patients developing chronic hepatitis. Hepatitis E usually resolves on its own over several weeks to months.