Child Liver Infections
Hepatitis, a viral disease, can pose a significant threat to the health of children. There are five main types of hepatitis, namely A, B, C, D, and E, each with its unique characteristics and modes of transmission.
Hepatitis A, the most common type in babies and children, is often caused by contaminated food or poor hygiene. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, constant fatigue, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. Hepatitis A can be prevented through vaccination, recommended for children between 12-23 months of age, followed by a second shot around 6-18 months afterwards.
Hepatitis B, on the other hand, is caused by various factors such as newborns born to infected mothers, exposure to blood infected with Hepatitis B, sharing drugs or needles with someone who is infected, unprotected sex with a person infected with Hepatitis B, and touching open wounds of an infected person. Symptoms include joint pain, muscle aches, pain in the stomach, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, rash, lack of energy, fatigue, expulsion of dark urine, fever, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. Hepatitis B can be diagnosed through routine tests and standard blood diagnostics. Not treating Hepatitis B can lead to serious and life-threatening implications in children, including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Routine vaccination of children during their young ages is an effective treatment and precaution against Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis D is not caused independently but is associated with Hepatitis B infections. It is passed down through the exchange of bodily fluids or through contact with a person who already has the infection. Hepatitis D can be diagnosed through blood tests which are used for detecting antibodies for Hepatitis D. There is no specific treatment available for Hepatitis D infections.
Hepatitis E is contracted in industrialized areas from uncooked contaminated meat and in newborn babies by mothers infected during pregnancies. Symptoms are similar to those of Hepatitis A, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, low-grade fever, jaundice, fatigue, joint pain, and muscle aches.
In Germany, the public health service (Öffentlicher Gesundheitsdienst, ÖGD) and the local health authorities (Gesundheitsämter) are responsible for child immunizations to prevent transmission of Hepatitis A, B, and C, as part of their infection protection duties under the Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz, IfSG).
Hepatitis C in children is caused by exposure to blood infected with Hepatitis C, sharing drugs or needles with someone who is infected, unprotected sex with a person infected with Hepatitis C, and not through sneezing, coughing, hugging, or breastfeeding. There is no specific information provided about the symptoms, diagnosis, risks, treatment, and prevention of Hepatitis C in children.
Chronic Hepatitis D, if it lasts for over six months, has higher chances of complications, such as cirrhosis, or severe scarring of the liver. Chronic Hepatitis B can also lead to serious complications such as liver damage, liver cirrhosis, and even death in adults.
It is crucial to ensure children's vaccinations against Hepatitis A, B, and C to prevent the transmission and subsequent complications of these diseases. By following proper hygiene practices, avoiding risky behaviours, and ensuring timely vaccinations, we can help protect our children from the harmful effects of hepatitis.
