hepatitis E

noun

: an acute hepatitis that is caused by a highly variable single-stranded RNA virus (species Hepatitis E virus of the genus Hepevirus), is marked chiefly by fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain, is usually contracted from sewage-contaminated water, and is rare in the United States but is common in some tropical developing countries

Note: The acute or short-term stage of hepatitis E is typically a mild illness that does not progress to a long-term or chronic infection.

Examples of hepatitis E in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Blood and urine tests ruled out hundreds of viruses, as well as hepatitis E, measles, heavy-metal poisoning, tainted bush meat, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Jennifer Abbasi, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2013 Of course, there are various hepatitis viruses that can cause hepatitis such as the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E viruses. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hepatitis E was in 1990

Dictionary Entries Near hepatitis E

Cite this Entry

“Hepatitis E.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepatitis%20E. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

: an acute hepatitis that is caused by a highly variable single-stranded RNA virus (species Hepatitis E virus of the genus Hepevirus), is marked chiefly by fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain, is usually contracted from sewage-contaminated water, and is rare in the United States but is common in some tropical developing countries

Note: The acute or short-term stage of hepatitis E is typically a mild illness that does not progress to a long-term or chronic infection.

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