Unveiling the Truth About Hepatitis E and High Risk Groups

9. Increased Chronic HEV Infections Within Specific Populations

In recent years, medical communities are reporting an increasing number of hepatitis E cases that progressed to chronic hepatitis and chronic liver disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Many of these cases occurred among patients with genotype 3 infections who were receiving immunosuppressive treatments for an organ transplant. Treatment included lowering the dosage of these medications, which helped clear the infection. Additionally, doctors have diagnosed chronic HEV infections in patients with a hematological disease and in HIV-positive patients. Physicians treating these patients with antiviral therapies have found success in clearing the infections as well.