Some time ago, many cases of childhood hepatitis of unknown cause suddenly broke out in many countries. According to the World Health Organization, there have been at least 169 cases of children, of which 114 are from the UK. In addition, similar cases in the United States, Israel, Spain, Italy, France, Japan and other countries have also been exposed, and so far one child has died in this case.
According to the UK health department with more cases, children with unidentified hepatitis are basically between the ages of 11 months and 5 years old, and predict that there will be more cases of hepatitis in children in the future, calling on countries to identify, investigate and report similar cases that meet the requirements.
Now that the epidemic is not over, and there are suddenly so many cases of childhood hepatitis, many parents are worried about whether children on the mainland are also at risk of infection. And does the emergence of this hepatitis have anything to do with the new crown epidemic? Is it even a mutation or sequelae of the new crown virus?
Parents don't need to worry too much about this, according to the current survey results, this hepatitis does not have much to do with the new crown virus. Moreover, mainland babies have vaccination requirements for hepatitis B and hepatitis A after birth, so the incidence of childhood hepatitis in the mainland is still very low.
But since there have been cases of childhood hepatitis abroad, as a parent still need to remain vigilant, although there are few cases of childhood hepatitis, but as a parent, we must also understand what the symptoms of childhood hepatitis are, and how to prevent it.
It is important for parents to understand the types of hepatitis
Most people know and are most afraid of hepatitis B, but in fact there are at least 5 types of hepatitis, and each type of transmission route is different, understanding the specific types of hepatitis, help to clearly diagnose the disease and determine preventive measures.
hepatitis A
Also known as infectious or epidemic hepatitis, referred to as hepatitis A for short, it is mainly transmitted through the digestive tract. The onset of the disease is often acute hepatitis, the symptoms are easy fatigue, decreased appetite, diarrhea, etc., may also be accompanied by jaundice, and some people have no symptoms after infection.
Hepatitis A is mainly transmitted between people through contaminated food and water, especially fecal infections are common, such as changing the baby's diapers, infecting the baby's stool, and not washing hands, it will occur. If a child becomes infected with the virus within 2-6 weeks of the disease, it usually disappears after a month.
However, at present, there are not many people suffering from hepatitis A in life, mainly because the popularity of hepatitis A vaccine has played a great role, making people have a certain resistance to hepatitis A. Therefore, timely vaccination of children against hepatitis A can play a good preventive role.
hepatitis B
Referred to simply as serotype hepatitis or blood transfusion jaundice. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the liver, mainly caused by the hepatitis B virus, are mainly transmitted through blood, mother and baby.
According to 2006 survey data, there are 93 million people infected with chronic hepatitis B on the mainland.
Common symptoms in patients with hepatitis B are loss of appetite, epigastric discomfort, bloating, and mild fever. In general, children infected with this type of virus will have a certain degree of fatigue and jaundice, and if the child is diagnosed with hepatitis B, it is necessary to help the child adjust his mentality and receive treatment as soon as possible.
hepatitis C
Abbreviated as hepatitis C, it is an infectious disease and one of the most likely to develop into chronic, cirrhosis or liver cancer; the main transmission routes are common syringes, blood transfusions, and mother-to-child transmission.
Hepatitis C patients generally have no symptoms, some symptoms are basically manifested as stomach discomfort, do not want to eat, nausea, fever, etc., some will also cause abnormalities in other organs of the body, such as numbness in limbs, joint muscle pain, skin itching, dry corners of the mouth, hematuria and so on.
Hepatitis D
Similar to other viral hepatitis, it is characterized by acute/chronic hepatitis, liver failure, etc. The main routes of transmission include mother-to-child, blood, and body fluids (such as saliva, sweat, and milk).
In general, hepatitis D occurs on the basis of infection with hepatitis B, and if it is acute hepatitis D, it basically does not require antiviral therapy, and it can be fully recovered; if it is chronic, it requires active treatment of hepatitis B at the same time.
Hepatitis E
Is a contagious disease that is mainly transmitted through the digestive tract, such as contaminated food and water. The onset is particularly rapid, mainly manifested by fatigue, decreased appetite, and some people will also have jaundice.
But compared to other hepatitis, most hepatitis E can heal on its own, recovering with increased nutrition and proper rest.
How can it be treated and prevented?
In fact, compared with adult hepatitis, the symptoms of hepatitis infection in children will be relatively light, many times children infected with hepatitis, there will only be mild physical discomfort and fatigue, only fever and jaundice, parents may perceive.
Generally speaking, if the child has jaundice and has decreased appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain and other manifestations, and the time is more than a few days, this is a sign of hepatitis, parents should take the child to the hospital in time for blood tests.
As mentioned above, the most important way to prevent hepatitis in children is to pay attention to hygiene, such as washing hands in time before and after meals and after going to the bathroom.
Hepatitis infection can only be caused by direct or indirect contact with the patient's body fluids, or by sharing utensils and eating food, so it is necessary to teach children some hygiene awareness.
In fact, the best way is to vaccinate the vaccine in time after the birth of the child, so as to prevent it more effectively.