In most people it does not cause long-term liver damage or death, but can cause very serious infection in women who are in the last three months of pregnancy. It is usually spread by drinking contaminated water. In the United States almost all infections with hepatitis E occur in travelers returning from areas of the world where hepatitis E is common, such as Mexico, parts of Africa, parts of the Middle East, India, and China. People are most contagious from about two weeks before symptoms begin until two weeks after.
Most people start to have symptoms about five or six weeks after exposure.
Some people, especially children, may have no symptoms but still can spread the virus. You cannot tell without seeing your doctor. There is no medicine to cure hepatitis E once you have it. Anyone with the symptoms listed above, especially if they have traveled recently outside of the United States, should see a doctor. Drink bottled water only if it is from a known safe supply and the bottle is unopened.