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Mainly affecting children under the age of ten, this form of hepatitis causes jaundice, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The World Health Organization announces that it is monitoring cases of this disease, the origin of which has yet to be determined. The point with Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.
A new disease affecting the liver and causing unknown hepatitis has spread rapidly in the UK. Indeed, the country first reported ten cases declared in Scotland to the WHO on April 5. A figure that rose to 74 three days later, across the country: “49 are in England, 13 in Scotland and the rest in Wales and Northern Ireland” reports the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). the alabama department of public health declares to investigate 9 cases affecting again children. the magazine Science reports three cases in Spain and similar cases in Denmark and the Netherlands.
Six cases required a liver transplant
According to Professor Yazdan Yazdanpanah, a specialist in infectious pathologies interviewed by our colleagues from Parisian, six cases required liver transplantation. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported so far. However, the disease continues to progress around the world and the WHO reports fewer “five confirmed or possible cases in Ireland and three cases in Spain”.
She also announces to expect new cases and indicates “start research” on this atypical pathology, which was not caused by hepatitis viruses A to E. In France, for the time being, no case has been reported.
The Covid-19 vaccine out of the question
The health authorities are therefore looking for the explanation of this disease. They have already eliminated the hypothesis of a link with the Covid-19 vaccine, because all of the confirmed cases in the United Kingdom are not vaccinated.
On the other hand, a possible cause could be Covid-19, another type of virus such as adenovirus or even other infectious or environmental factors. According to Dr Gérald Kierzek, Medical Director of Doctissimo, “the cause could be viral (from a virus identified but having mutated or not yet identified). But it is first necessary to rule out the other possible causes: food, medication, autoimmune…“.
Among the suspects, the trail of an adenovirus is favored. Normally at the origin of a simple cold, this family of viruses rarely evolves into hepatitis, but the fact that children hospitalized in Alabama and half of English children are positive for the adenovirus arouses suspicion. This would not be good news because these viruses are spread by respiratory droplets… which favors its spread. In fact, the list of countries concerned could grow longer.
What are the symptoms of this hepatitis?
This pathology gives particular symptoms to affected children. Among them are:
- Dark urine;
- A pale, gray poop;
- Itches ;
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice);
- muscle and joint pain;
- Fever ;
- Fatigue;
- A loss of appetite;
- Abdominal pain.
This unknown pathology causes inflammation of the liver, the cells of which are gradually destroyed and create jaundice. To protect themselves, the authorities recommend following the usual hygiene rules, such as hand washing and invite parents to remain attentive to the emergence of symptoms in their children.