Gastro: Hepatitis E: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️FREE MSRA PODCAST –Hepatitis E🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this zoonotic viral liver infection – perfect for exam prep and real-life clinicalscenarios. 🧠Key Learning Points📌Definition• Hepatitis E is aviral liver disease caused by the Hepatitis Evirus (HEV), usually transmitted via the faecal-oralroute, primarily through contaminated food or water.📌Causes & RiskFactors• Poor sanitationand limited access to clean water• Consumption of contaminated water or food• Eating undercooked or raw pork, deer meat, orshellfish• Direct contactwith infected animals (especially pigs and deer)• Pregnancy – particularly 3rd trimester• Pre-existing chronic liver disease• Mnemonic: "PEARL"– Pigs, Eating raw meat, Area sanitation, Riskgroups (pregnancy/liver), Livestock contact📌Pathophysiology• HEV enters viaingestion and targets hepatocytes (liver cells)• Viral replicationtriggers immune-mediated inflammation• Both the virus andthe immune response contribute to liver injury• Inimmunocompromised patients, it can lead to chronicinfection📌Symptoms• Jaundice, fatigue,anorexia, nausea,abdominal pain• Dark urine and palestools• Can be asymptomatic or mildin many cases• Severe illness in pregnant women – risk of fulminant hepatitis• Mnemonic: "J-FAND"– Jaundice, Fatigue, Anorexia, Nausea, Darkurine📌DifferentialDiagnosis• Hepatitis A, B, C,D• Autoimmune hepatitis• Drug-induced liver injury• Alcoholic hepatitis📌Diagnosis• HEV IgM – recent infection• HEV IgG – past exposure• HEV RNA PCR – confirms active viral replication• Liver function tests (LFTs) – elevated ALT,AST, bilirubin• Imaging (USS or MRI) if needed to rule outother causes• Memory Tip: IgM= Minute = current; IgG = Gone = past📌Management• Supportive care – rest, fluids, balanced diet,avoid alcohol• Most cases self-resolve• Hospitalisation if severe, pregnant, orimmunocompromised• Ribavirin considered in chronic or high-riskcases (specialist input)• Prevention is key – ensure safe food/water,hygiene, and fully cook pork/deer meat📌Complications• Fulminant hepatitis → acute liver failure• Maternal mortality, miscarriage, stillbirth inpregnancy• Chronic hepatitis E in immunocompromised →cirrhosis📌Prognosis• Excellent inhealthy individuals – full recovery in weeks to months• Poorer prognosisin pregnant women and immunocompromised due to higher risk ofcomplications 📎More MSRA Resourcesfor Hepatitis E📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-e-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-e-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-e-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-e-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/gastroenterology-for-the-msra/ #MSRA #MSRARevision#MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQ&ANotes#MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision#MSRARevisionWebsite #HepatitisE