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Rising Hepatitis E Numbers by Mettwurst and Co
Consumer advocates and physicians are increasingly warning of the risk of hepatitis E: infection by raw meat. The viruses can also be found in foods such as sausage, salami or tea sausage, according to the current information from the University Hospital Freiburg.
For a long time, hepatitis E was regarded as an "exotic disease, but more and more people are also becoming infected in Germany," reports the Freiburg University Hospital. Professor Thimme, Medical Director of the Department of Internal Medicine II at the University Hospital Freiburg, expressly points to the risk of infection. The expert also explains how raw pork has to do with the disease and what options exist for protection against the pathogens.
Hepatitis E is also increasingly prevalent in Germany, whereby the consumption of raw meat is regarded as an essential route of infection. (Image: Dr_Kateryna / fotolia.com) Beware of Mettbrötchen, salami and Teewurst
Hepatitis E viruses (HEV) cause hepatitis E. Hepatitis E. The pathogens are mainly distributed in Asia or Africa, but in Germany more and more people are infected with the virus, according to the Freiburg University Hospital. In most cases, the infection in this country is probably due to the consumption of raw pork. "Whether Mettbrötchen, salami or tea sausage: These foods may contain hepatitis E virus," warns the university hospital.
Hepatitis E often goes unnoticed
According to Professor dr. Thimme is not noticed infection by many sufferers because they do not show any symptoms. Patients with symptoms often suffer from fatigue, fever or yellow skin, according to the expert. "In order to find out whether patients have been infected with the hepatitis E virus, we are looking for HEV antibodies in the blood and in special situations also directly after the virus by means of a polymerase chain reaction," continues Thimme. However, even with a positive diagnosis, a therapy is not necessarily required. In most cases, the disease heals by itself and a specific antiviral therapy is not necessary, explains the expert.
Threatening complications
However, chronic liver disease and pregnant women are particularly at risk, "because they can cause severe, fulminant disease progression," reports the Freiburg University Hospital ... Even in people with a generally weakened immune system, such as chemo-patients or patients threatened by organ transplantation complications. Chronic HEV infections and liver inflammation are possible here consequences.
Take elevated liver values seriously
Chronic HEV infection, however, can usually be successfully treated by therapy with ribavirin and the reduction of immunosuppression in transplant patients, reports the Freiburg University Hospital. "It is therefore important to take elevated liver values seriously in these patients and rule out chronic HEV infection," advises Professor Thimme. According to the expert, corresponding risk patients should "refrain from uncooked pork, game and offal" in order to avoid the risk of infection. Also Mettwurst and raw sausages should be deleted from the diet.
Caution abroad
In the mentioned countries with high prevalence the virus is transmitted mainly by contaminated water and food as well as by smear infection, report the experts of the university hospital. "It is important that tourists take food only peeled, roasted or cooked. Heating the food above 70 degrees inactivates the virus, "says Professor Thimme. According to the expert, water should only be drunk from bottles that have been bottled industrially and also be used for brushing teeth. On ice cubes should be completely renounce and "before eating in any case wash your hands to protect yourself from pathogens," emphasizes Professor Thimme. (Fp)