Hepatitis is basically the inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis strikes adults more commonly than babies and children. There are various types of the disease namely – Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. While it, usually, is caused by a virus, Hepatitis may originate from other sources too. Read on for all you need to know about this ailment.
Hepatitis is a viral disease, contagious in nature, and can spread from the mother to the new-born baby. From liver damage and liver cirrhosis to even death, hepatitis can go undetected and later develop serious complications as adults. Kids affected with hepatitis usually contract it from certain medications, inherited disorders, or by exposure to contagious substances.
Hepatitis A is most common in babies and children. It comes from contaminated sea food, which is why it is important to procure sea food from sanitary sources. Faeces may also carry the virus which is why it is important to establish good hygiene and healthcare routines in babies and kids to avoid contracting this disease.
The following kids are at risk of getting hepatitis if care is not exercised:
Hepatitis is characterised by its different forms according to virus type. The different types of viruses include A, B, C, D, and E.
Hepatitis A in children is denoted by the following symptoms:
Hepatitis A in children is contracted from:
Hepatitis A spreads in children by:
Hepatitis A can persist for months if left untreated. Risks involved include a loss of appetite, pain in the stomach, and tiredness and fatigue. The only risks or side effects involved in getting a Hepatitis A vaccine shot are a sore arm from the shot and tiredness, which usually lasts between one to two days.
The disease is diagnosed by blood tests like the HAV IgM antibody test which is used for detecting early stages of the infection. This diagnosis is carried out to test for recent infections in people with acute hepatitis as well. The HAV IgG test is a sequential diagnosis test conducted in conjunction with the HAV IgM antibody test. The HAV IgG test looks for antibodies that develop during the later stages of this disease.
Tests related to bilirubin, liver panel, ALT, and AST are also performed along with viral hepatitis tests for detailed diagnostics of prevalent Hepatitis A in kids and children.
There are no specific therapies available for the complete treatment of the disease. Treatment is supportive in nature and the ailment is a short-term condition that fades away on its own in few weeks to months.
To prevent or limit outbreaks of Hepatitis A in communities, it is recommended to administer the Hepatitis A vaccine to children between 12-23 months of age followed by a second shot around 6-18 months afterward. The vaccine is also recommended for teenagers and young adults, including people who live in areas prone to the Hepatitis A infection.
Infected children show the following symptoms, which appear after 3 to 4 months of being infected with the virus:
Hepatitis B is caused in children by the following:
Hepatitis B is contagious and can spread from one child to another through body fluids or fluids containing trace amounts of blood from the infected person. Children get infected with the virus through:
Not treating Hepatitis B can lead to serious and life-threatening implications in children over a prolonged period of time, and may even be fatal. Persisting conditions of Hepatitis B lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer as well. Risks associated with the vaccination treatment of Hepatitis B include mild soreness in the arm and short-term fever which lasts between two or three days.
Hepatitis B is primarily detected through routine tests and standard blood diagnostics which look for the presence of the antibodies and antigens associated with the virus. Liver enzyme tests and liver biopsy is conducted for people who are afflicted by acute Hepatitis B.
Routine vaccination of children during their young ages is an effective treatment and precaution against Hepatitis B. Children who travel to areas of the world affected by Hepatitis B must be immunized with a Hepatitis B vaccination.
Vaccinating toddlers and infants early on is a sure fire way to prevent Hepatitis B. Infants must be vaccinated in the early stages right after birth to eliminate the chances of a Hepatitis B occurrence in the future.
The common Hepatitis C symptoms in children are:
In children, Hepatitis C stems from mothers who have been infected with the virus, thus being passed down to kids during pregnancies. Children who have blood clotting conditions such as haemophilia and are in need of dialysis due to kidney function failure are prone to the effects of Hepatitis C.
If a mother is afflicted with Hepatitis C during pregnancy, the virus is spread from the mother to the new born baby. The infection is contagious in nature and is passed from one person to another through body fluids or sharing objects as well.
Chronic Hepatitis C, when left untreated, can lead to liver cirrhosis and even death. Impaired cognitive development may be caused due to a condition called hepatic encephalopathy where toxins build up in the brain due to liver impairment.
Your doctor may perform ultrasound scans of your child to examine the liver region of your baby. Routine blood testing for liver enzymes, liver function, blood cell counts, and coagulation tests are performed for diagnosing Hepatitis C in children.
For children who are in the early stages of Hepatitis C, treatment with standard doses of Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen can be administered. Routine blood tests along with antiviral medications serve as the primary modes of treatment for Hepatitis C infections in children.
Just like its other viral counterparts, Hepatitis C is best prevented by eliminating exposure to sources contaminated by the infection. From not ingesting contaminated foods to water, and avoiding contact with persons infected by the virus, children can best avoid the ill effects of this disease.
Hepatitis D symptoms are very similar to those of Hepatitis B. These are the following symptoms:
Hepatitis D is not caused on its own and derived from Hepatitis B infections.
It is passed down through exchange of bodily fluids or through contact with a person who is already infected with Hepatitis D. Exposure to Hepatitis D infected mucous spreads the infection to others as well.
There is no specific treatment available for Hepatitis D infections and the only way to avoid contracting it is by administering your child with vaccinations after birth.
Hepatitis D is diagnosed through blood tests which are used for detecting antibodies for Hepatitis D. A liver function test is carried out alongside blood tests to check for signs of the disease.
Hepatitis D does not have specific vaccinations for treatment. It can be eliminated by preventing Hepatitis B from occurring through prior vaccination.
Avoid engaging in unprotected sex or exposing your child to bodily fluids infected with Hepatitis B infections to prevent the chances of a Hepatitis D complication.
The symptoms of Hepatitis E are very similar to those of other Hepatitis-type infections. The following are the well-known symptoms of Hepatitis E in children:
In industrialised areas, Hepatitis E is contracted from uncooked contaminated meat. Hepatitis E is contracted from mothers to new born babies during pregnancies, so, extra care must be exercised to avoid coming into contact with Hepatitis E in the first place.
Not washing hands properly before and after serving food, coming into contact with stool or faeces infected with Hepatitis E are the primary ways the infection is spread.
There are no long-term implications of Hepatitis E besides liver failure which will require intensive hospitalization and treatment care. Hepatitis E infections last short-term periods ranging between four to six weeks usually.
Diagnosis is carried out by doctors for Hepatitis E through a series of blood tests which search for specific antibodies present in the blood.
There is no vaccine or treatment method available for curing this disease.
Establishing proper hygiene and healthy lifestyle habits prevent Hepatitis E. Hygiene habits such as washing hands properly, ensuring a fresh supply of water that is free from contamination and monitoring food sources and running quality checks before serving are surefire ways of preventing contact with Hepatitis E.
Although Hepatitis results in liver failure and damage in children, it is avoidable when care and adequate steps are taken towards its prevention. Prevent the disease today by ensuring your child eats right and gets vaccinated on time!
Also read: Chikungunya Virus Infection During Pregnancy