The doctor pointed out the signs to take the child to the doctor immediately to prevent mysterious hepatitis
Although it was only reported from April 15, 2022, so far more than 300 children in 23 countries (Europe, America, Western Pacific, Southeast Asia) have been reported infected. Therefore, the mysterious hepatitis is causing fear for many parents, it causes acute hepatitis in young children, while scientists have not found the specific cause of the disease.
According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnam currently has no cases of infection. However, it is still necessary to closely monitor the progression of the disease so that appropriate responses can be given.
What are the consequences of hepatitis in children?
According to Dr. Ta Thanh Son, hepatitis is a dangerous disease, especially for children under 5 years old. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 10% of affected children require a liver transplant due to hepatitis infection. At least four children have died from hepatitis in the past few weeks.
Many cases reported gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting before presenting with severe acute hepatitis.
How does this disease manifest in children?
According to the World Health Organization, when having the following typical signs, it is necessary to take the child to a medical facility as soon as possible to rule out acute hepatitis of unknown cause:
– Stomachache.
– Diarrhea.
– Nausea, vomiting.
– Jaundice, sclera (whites of the eyes) turn yellow.
– Children usually do not have a fever, but may have convulsions, coma.
In addition, children may also show some symptoms such as:
– Tired.
– Anorexia.
– Dark urine.
– Discolored stools.
– Pain in the joints.
The paraclinical tests show that liver enzymes are very high (double, triple normal).
The vulnerable age group is from 1 month old to 16 years old, mostly under 10 years old, especially under 5 years old. Hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, E were not present in this group of subjects.
Children can recover on their own, but there have been cases of liver transplants. In particular, 10 children died from the disease.
The US CDC (US Center for Disease Control) has strongly advised: parents should take their children to the doctor immediately if they have the above signs.
A study in the UK showed that 75% of cases of children under the age of 10 infected with the disease tested positive for Adenovirus – the virus that often causes abdominal pain and cold. In particular, the British Ministry of Health also said that many young children who contracted the disease were exposed to Canine adenovirus – a virus found in domestic pets – that is, dogs. This virus can cause symptoms of hepatitis in domestic dogs.
Adenovirus is a very common virus in children, nearly every child is infected with this virus at least once before the age of 10, in which Adenovirus type 41 (mainly transmitted through the digestive tract) is the cause of acute gastroenteritis. symptoms, typically diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and respiratory symptoms. Currently, this virus is suspected to be the cause of the disease.
Adenovirus is commonly known to cause respiratory symptoms, conjunctivitis, or gastrointestinal disturbances. Previously, there were also recorded cases of adenovirus with severe liver failure, liver transplant, and even death. But the strange thing about recent “strange” hepatitis is that the incidence is higher, the subjects are different. Most children with “strange hepatitis” have test results for this virus infection.
Assoc. Prof. Do Van Dung, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City shared: “If before, children with the disease were usually immunocompromised, weakened bodies, now it can be seen in normal healthy children. Experts lean towards the current adenovirus has mutations.
Another theory is that when children are infected with COVID-19 and adenovirus, there is a gene exchange phenomenon and makes the adenovirus more likely to mutate. There is this theory because the majority of children found to be infected with mysterious hepatitis live in an area that has previously struggled with the COVID-19 epidemic.“.
If this is the main cause of this strange disease, we need to know that it is transmitted through the air and the digestive tract.
The most effective preventive measure at this time is to wash your hands often with soap or an antiseptic solution (especially before eating, after going to the toilet, before touching your eyes, nose and mouth), respiratory hygiene. breathe well (wear a mask, cough into your elbow, etc.), eat and drink hygienically.
Source: Lotus @Dr Green
at Blogtuan.info – Source: Kenh14.Vn – Read the original article here
