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.

Some cases of viral hepatitis cannot be ascribed to hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E, so they are called non A...E hepatitis, or hepatitis X. During the diagnostic process for hepatitis X, the possible alternative diagnoses should be considered: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and CMV (Cytomegalovirus).

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.