How Does Hepatitis E Transmission Occur?
Hepatitis E (hep E) is usually spread by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person (or animal) infected with hepatitis E (even though it may look clean). The virus is shed in the feces of infected people and animals, and this type of transmission is known as fecal-oral transmission.
Some specific ways in which hepatitis E transmission occurs include:
- Eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Most outbreaks in developing countries have been associated with contaminated drinking water. Vegetables, salads, shellfish, and iced drinks are commonly implicated in outbreaks.
- Sharing eating utensils that are contaminated.
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then placing your hands near or in the mouth.
- Sexual contact with an infected person (uncommon).
- Household contact with an infected person (uncommon).
Casual contact -- as in the usual office, factory, or school setting -- does not spread the hepatitis E virus.
Hepatitis E Transmission and the Incubation Period
When someone becomes infected with the hepatitis E virus, he or she will not feel sick immediately.
The period between hepatitis E transmission and the beginning of
hepatitis E symptoms is called the hepatitis E incubation period. It may be as short as 14 days or as long as 60 days; the average is five to six weeks.
(Click Hepatitis E Prevention to learn how to prevent becoming infected with the hepatitis E virus in the first place.)
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