After two years of the coronavirus pandemic, we have a new health problem: childhood hepatitis. they already 169 cases around the world 13 of them in Spain and the majority (114) in the UK. The latter country also recorded one death and approximately 10% of diagnosed children required surgery. Liver transplant. However, it is believed that there may be many more cases that were mild and therefore not detected. Occurs only in children aged from 1 month to 16 yearsalthough most of them are below 10 and many have 5 or less. The situation is especially dramatic because of the population it affects, and also because its origin is unknown.
Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the health authorities of all affected countries are trying to find an explanation for this childhood hepatitis. The disease is so named because its main symptom is inflammation of the liver. However, none of the affected children had known hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, or E). Therefore, the reason must be something else.
There is a suspicion that it may be an adenovirus. In fact, almost half of the affected children had one of these viruses in their bodies. Especially adenovirus 41. However, neither this nor any other known adenovirus usually causes hepatitis. There have been cases in children with weakened immune systems, but nothing to do with what is happening. They usually cause colds or gastrointestinal problems, which are usually not serious. Therefore, scientists believe that there must be something else. Or another virus or something that causes adenoviruses, usually not very dangerous. more serious consequences.
No vaccinations, no masks
Not surprisingly, given the level of panic around COVID-19 immunizations, many people have come to believe that this could all be a serious problem. effect of coronavirus vaccines. However, the hypothesis collapses under its own weight, mainly because most sick children they were unvaccinated. Note that a significant proportion of patients less than 5 years. In Spain, as in other affected countries, children at this age have not yet begun to be vaccinated, so this does not make sense.
Most of the affected children have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, so this cannot be an effect of the vaccines.
There are also those who claim that it may be related to the masks. In fact, some of the media have produced the most troubling headlines, even claiming that the WHO is investigating whether they may have had repercussions. association with cases of childhood hepatitis. However, the same thing happens again. Children under 6 are not required to wear a mask, so it doesn’t make much sense either. Also, using a mask has nothing to do with liver condition.
However, this hypothesis, although incorrect, has a basis that is completely out of context. And that’s what experts are looking into, whether children can have their own immune systems. less prepared fight adenoviruses because of all this protection time. We have not been in contact with the coronavirus or other pathogens. You can see a high number of flu cases this season as the masks have been removed. The same is true for adenoviruses. This may make some sense, but it still doesn’t seem the most likely. Mainly because of what we have already seen: in those ages many children do not wear masks. In addition, there were many cases in babies who, in their short life, did not have the opportunity to be exposed to adenovirus, either with or without a mask.
Childhood hepatitis and coronavirus
While experts don’t think masks or vaccines are to blame, it could all be linked to the pandemic.
According to applications for Agence France-Presse picked up Scientific Alertt from the Director of Clinical and Emergent Infections, UK Health Safety Agency, Mira Chandit could be coinfection between an adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
Twenty children with childhood hepatitis tested positive for COVID-19 and 19 of them for COVID-19 and adenovirus.
They arrived at this hypothesis because 19 of the affected children gave positive for both COVID-19 and adenovirus at the time of diagnosis. In addition, another 20 had only COVID-19. It is possible that those who did not have the virus at the time transmitted it earlier and that would be coinfection which led to childhood hepatitis.
Or could it be some environmental factor the one that interacted with the adenovirus, making it more dangerous. Or just another variant of SARS-CoV-2, or some new virus that has yet to be discovered. There are many hypotheses, and, unfortunately, nothing definite yet. In the meantime, parents are asked to pay special attention to the possibility jaundice in their children. This is yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes. This, along with diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, are the main symptoms of this childhood hepatitis, which, moreover, usually does not have a fever. If they suspect these symptoms, they should contact their doctor immediately.
Scientists are working fast to try and find answers. Hopefully it will be soon and this virus will not spread more than it already has.
Source: Hiper Textual
