Hepatitis Outbreak Affecting Kids

A sudden rise in severe liver infections affecting children in 20 countries, including children within the Chicago area, is capturing the attention of health officials around the world. The severe acute hepatitis cases have led to hospitalizations and several transplants in children.

Public health officials have identified 228 cases worldwide as of last week, with 109 of those cases spread throughout 25 U.S. states. The average age of kids with this liver condition is 2 years old.

Currently, five children have died in this mysterious wave of acute hepatitis, as stated by the CDC.

The CDC announced a countrywide alert after Alabama reported a series of hepatitis cases among nine children under 7 years old who had no concerning medical history.

Last month, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced three children under 10 years old were diagnosed with severe acute hepatitis in Illinois. While the number of diagnoses in Illinois is unchanged from the end of last month, there are unconfirmed cases currently being investigated in Indiana.

What Is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is liver inflammation often caused by a virus. Since the liver is responsible for processing nutrients throughout the body, fighting infections, and filtering blood, the body may not function properly when its livers are inflamed.

Due to potential damages that can follow an inflamed liver, it is crucial to understand the situation that several countries are currently facing with the hepatitis outbreak among children.

What Do Health Officials Believe Is Causing Hepatitis In Children?

While health officials continue to investigate the hepatitis outbreak in children in several countries, there are a few possibilities they are reviewing.

One possibility that most professionals are discussing is an adenovirus. Specifically, the WHO has stated that while they have not overlooked adenovirus as a cause of the situation, it usually does not cause severe hepatitis in healthy children. On the other end, the types of hepatitis viruses are not as involved in the cases as experts initially expected.

What Is An Adenovirus?

Adenoviruses are common, spread between people, and cause people to be mildly or severely ill. These illnesses can easily range from colds and nausea to pneumonia and bronchitis.

Among these recent infections, adenoviruses were initially detected in at least 74 cases worldwide. This month, more than half of the 109 U.S. cases had a confirmed adenovirus infection alone, with 90% of patients hospitalized and 14% requiring liver transplants.

Still, adenovirus does not usually cause severe hepatitis in healthy people. According to the WHO, the common viruses that cause acute viral hepatitis, including hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E, have not been detected in any of these cases.

Alongside illnesses like colds, fevers, and pneumonia, adenoviruses can show a series of symptoms and conditions, including:

• Sore throat
• Bronchitis
• Pink eye
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

What Are The Hepatitis Symptoms Seen In Children?

Even though the common types of hepatitis viruses were not visible in the recent outbreak cases, it is still crucial to be aware of related symptoms, including:

• Fevers
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• Dark colored urine
• Light colored feces
• Joint pain
• Jaundice

At the moment, the hepatitis outbreak impacting children is slowly spreading.

The WHO also discussed a few other conditions and symptoms that are likely to play a role in the current situation, including:

• Elevated liver enzymes: High levels of proteins throughout the body that boost the ability to fight infections.
• Jaundice: A condition that yellows the skin, eyes, and mucous due to high amounts of yellow pigment formed by red blood cells.

While most of the children did not have a fever, many reported gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting "preceding presentation with severe acute hepatitis," as well as increased levels of liver enzymes and jaundice.

What Are Health Effects Of Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is known to have lasting effects on the body. People are diagnosed with liver diseases for several reasons, including heavy drinking, obesity, specific medication usage, chemical exposure, and viruses like hepatitis.

Viral hepatitis can lead to scarring and hardening of the liver, also called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final stage of chronic liver disease which interferes with liver function. Some types of hepatitis, if untreated, can also lead to liver cancer.

If someone's liver is not working as it should because of these conditions, they can become very ill and even die if the liver completely stops.

How Can You Protect Your Child From Hepatitis?

Parents and caregivers can take steps to help protect children from hepatitis and other virus outbreaks.

The CDC has suggested several discussions to have with your kids, including:

• Using a tissue or upper sleeve for coughing and sneezing
• Staying in the house when sick or noticing symptoms
• Staying away from other's cups, school supplies, or eating utensils
• Using soap and water to wash hands for 20 seconds or longer
• Avoid kissing or holding hands with others

The CDC suggests that parents and guardians learn about the symptoms related to hepatitis and connect with a health professional to talk about symptoms that appear or any other questions. It's also highly recommended that kids receive all of their suggested vaccinations.