The Alarming Relation between Hepatitis of Unknown origin in Children and Covid-19
Recently, many cases of Hepatitis of Unknown origin in children have been speedily increasing in multiple countries. This dangerous disease leads to global health alerts and a race to identify the underlying cause. Moreover, there are some hypotheses saying that the mysterious hepatitis is closely related to covid-19. Are they really true or not? Let’s find out the answer in the article below with Visreal!
All about Hepatitis of Unknown origin in Children
Outbreak overview
The European Health Union stated that the first cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children were detected in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2022. After that, this mysterious hepatitis becomes rapidly spreading around the world. The research indicated that there were at least 348 cases of hepatitis of unknown origin in several countries including the UK, the European Union (EU), the US, Southern Asia and Western Pacific.
Mysterious hepatitis is rapidly spreading among young children
Symptoms
Affected children were in the age of between 1 month and 16 years, although more than three quarters of those in the UK were under 5 years and those in the US had a median age of 2 years. The most prominent symptoms of this acute hepatitis were fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, jaundice or yellow eyes. Nevertheless, common hepatitis virus infections (hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E) were not detected in any of these cases.
Possible causes
The World Health Organization said the leading hypotheses remain those involving adenovirus. Specifically, scientists suggested that acute hepatitis in children could be the result of SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus co-infection.
According to new research published in The LancetRecent, cases of acute hepatitis in children may be the issue of infection with the original coronavirus, followed by an adenovirus infection. This condition forms a viral reservoir in the child’s intestinal tract.
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common
These two viruses resonate and activate immune cells over and over again. In other words, the viral reservoir “interferes” with the immune system’s response signals, forming repetitive superantigens and causing an overreaction in the body.
Measures to prevent children from the acute hepatitis
Up to now, this hepatitis is still a mysterious disease among young children, so it is not possible to recommend specific and active preventive measures. However, parents should not be too nervous. We need to be calm and attentive to be able to detect early signs of gastrointestinal symptoms and liver damage in children.
In particular, children with symptoms of fever, abdominal pain or vomiting should be examined at a medical facility. Besides, children should get fully vaccinated according to the schedule, including hepatitis B, hepatitis A and Covid-19 vaccines. Furthermore, parents should pay attention to protect their children from diseases in schools and kindergartens by ensuring hygiene, using separate personal items such as water cups, spoons, eating bowls, face towels, etc.
Parents should pay more attention to protect their children from the acute hepatitis
Conclusion
The increase of serious hepatitis cases of unknown origin in children is still a questionable problem in the world. Essentially, it is closely related to Coronavirus and adenovirus co-infection. Although Vietnam has not recorded any cases of mysterious hepatitis, parents must not be subjective in preventing this potentially dangerous disease. One more thing, Covid-19 pandemic has always been a global threat that humans have to face. Let’s raise awareness of protecting yourself and your family these days!
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