Hepatitis E Prevention

Because there is no approved vaccine for hepatitis E, the best way to prevent hepatitis E is to practice good hygiene and avoid high-risk situations. A few suggestions for effective hepatitis E prevention include boiling water or drinking bottled water in areas where there is a risk of hepatitis E contamination, eating cooked foods and fruits that you can peel, and avoiding raw or steamed shellfish (for example, oysters) that live in contaminated waters.

 

Prevention of Hepatitis E

 Hepatitis E is an infection caused by the hepatitis E virus. It is most commonly spread by eating or drinking something (or putting something in your mouth, such as a utensil) that has been contaminated with the stool of a person infected with hepatitis E.
 
There is currently no approved hepatitis E vaccine (although several vaccines are currently being tested). Therefore, the best way to prevent hepatitis E is to practice good personal hygiene and avoid high-risk situations. This means avoiding tap water when traveling internationally and practicing good hygiene and sanitation.
 
Some other tips for effective prevention of hepatitis E include:
 
  • Boiling water or drinking bottled water in areas where there is a risk of hepatitis E contamination. Also, do not use ice cubes or wash fruits and vegetables in tap water.
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  • Eating cooked foods and fruits that you can peel, and avoiding vegetables or fruits that could have been washed with contaminated water, such as lettuce.
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  • Avoiding raw or steamed shellfish, such as oysters, that live in contaminated waters.
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD