After reporting the first case of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in Santa Fe, Argentina, the alarms are on in our country. According to the report, it affects children under 10 years of age and investigations continue to determine the infectious agent that causes it.
Dr. Sonia Arza, pediatrician and infectologist, explained that Hepatitis A and B have a preventive vaccine, however, in cases of childhood hepatitis (severe acute hepatitis), its causes are unknown so far and, not knowing what it is the pathogen that is causing it, there is no vaccine to prevent infection.
“Of those more than 200 cases of children with severe acute hepatitis, 20 had positive Covid, while 74 pediatric patients tested positive for Adenovirus, but it is rare because this virus, in addition to causing respiratory symptoms, generally causes mild gastrointestinal symptoms, it does not usually have this type of complications, that is why the United Kingdom asked the WHO to monitor and notify, ”said the pediatrician in contact with 650 AM.
In this context, the infectologist explained that according to the report, the affected children presented gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, later a yellowish coloration of the skin and mucosa (eyes and mouth). They did not present fever, but they evolved with an acute fulminant picture of very severe liver inflammation, which led to rapid hospitalization between 24 and 48 hours in intensive care.
“Of all these cases, one death was reported and a high percentage required a liver transplant to stay alive. This is what powerfully draws attention,” she indicated.
Along these same lines, Arza specified that severe acute hepatitis is not related to Covid-19 or the vaccine, because it occurred mostly in minors who were not immunized against the disease, reaching the degree of fulminant hepatitis requiring a transplant. pointing out that the only thing we have so far is the clinical picture and the complications it generates.
Regarding the treatment, he mentioned that if the boy or girl becomes dehydrated, they give him liquid; if she needs oxygen, they put her on a breathing machine. These measures are supportive and not specific treatment, since the agent is unknown, highlighting that we are all exposed, but so far it has affected children under 10 years of age.
The specialist urged citizens to continue washing their hands and getting vaccinated against Covid and influenza to prevent any virus from entering the body. She also advised not to self-medicate or self-medicate.
Finally, he maintained that to date there are no suspected cases in the country, however he said that one must be alert, since the first patient in Santa Fe, Argentina.
