Hepatitis X

Hepatitis X, also known as the "Lost Hepatitis" is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by Hepatitis virus, which is most commonly transmitted by the fecal-oral route via contaminated food or drinking water. In the United States, approximately 10 people per year are infected with the virus, primarily in the mid-atlantic region. The time between infection and the appearance of the symptoms, (the incubation period), is roughly one week. Often the virus will show itself, but later the patient will lose all symptoms. Roughly one week later the virus will show itself again stronger and more dangerously.

Early symptoms of hepatitis X infection can be mistaken for influenza, but some sufferers, especially children, exhibit no symptoms at all. Symptoms typically appear 1 to 2 weeks, (the incubation period ), after the initial infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms can return over the following month which include:
* Fatigue
* Fever
* Abdominal pain
* Strong Headaches similar to migraines
* Nausea
* Diarrhea
* Lack of Concentration
* Appetite loss
* Depression
* Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
* Sharp pains in the right-upper quadrant of the abdomen
* Weight loss

Diagnosis and Results

Hepatitis X often goes undiagnosed by doctors due to the difficulty in detecting the virus, which can only be detected with a double-blood test. These tests are often painful and are not usually administered by doctors. Usually by the time symptoms reveal themselves it is too late to stop the virus which terminates with sterility in the patient.