The world is
currently facing a new outbreak of unexplained acute hepatitis infections
affecting children. According to the World Health Organization, this year
between April 5 and May 26, 650 probable cases of acute hepatitis have been
reported in children from 33 countries.
This new outbreak
has brought attention to the thousands of acute viral hepatitis infections that
occur among children, adolescents and adults every year. Most acute hepatitis
infections cause mild disease and often can go undetected; however, in some cases
these viruses can lead to complications and be fatal.
World Hepatitis Day
is observed each year on July 28 to raise awareness of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis is
inflammation of the liver, a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the
blood, and fights infections. Heavy alcohol use, exposure to toxins, some
medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However,
hepatitis is often caused by a virus. According to the Center for Disease
Control (CDC), the most common types of viral hepatitis in the United States
are hepatitis A, B and C.
Hepatitis A can be
spread through sexual contact or through food or drinking water that is
carrying the virus through bits of fecal matter from an infected person. This
form of hepatitis does not lead to a chronic infection and usually has no
complications. The liver usually heals from hepatitis A within several months.
Hepatitis B is the
leading cause of liver cancer and it is estimated that 850,000 people in the
United States are currently living with it. Hepatitis B spreads
through contact with blood, semen or other body fluids from an infected
person. This viral infection can range from a mild illness, lasting a few
weeks, to a serious, life-long (chronic) condition.
Hepatitis C is the
most common in the United States, affecting an estimated 2.4 million people,
with 50 percent unaware they are infected. The virus is transmitted through
needles or syringes, blood transfusions and through birth from the mother. More
than 50 percent of people who get infected develop a chronic infection.
Both Hepatitis A and
B have vaccines and are administered during infancy or before the age of two.
Unfortunately, Hepatitis C does not have a vaccine at this time.
Hepatitis symptoms include a
fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine,
light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice.
Most people recover
from hepatitis, and the disease is often preventable. However, it is still
considered a serious health risk because it can destroy liver tissue, spread
easily, weaken the immune system, cause liver failure or cancer, and in rare
cases, death.
“There are many ways
you can reduce your chances of getting hepatitis,” says Aspirus Regional
Director of Hospital Medicine Dr. Stephen Phillipson. “Get available vaccines,
practice protective sex, don’t share needles, practice good hand hygiene, don’t
share personal care items, take precautions when getting tattoos/piercings and
when traveling to areas of the world with poor sanitation.”
Although the current
hepatitis outbreak does not appear to belong to any of the known hepatitis
viruses, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is still
important to be proactive against the virus.
For more information
about hepatitis visit https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0518-acute-hepatitis.html.