Hepatitis A Infection in Children

This disease is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus, which is contagious and causes epidemics.

The clinical picture caused by the Hepatitis A virus is popularly defined as jaundice.

Hepatitis A infection

• It is seen in all age groups.

• The incubation period is 14-28 days.

• Contamination occurs after infected water, infected food

And contact with individuals carrying the virus.

Symptoms of the disease

• Weakness

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Abdominal pain and 

• Jaundice is observed.

The disease does not become chronic and usually resolves spontaneously within 2 months. A long or relapsing disease that lasts up to six months is rare.

Jaundice is detected in only 30% of young children. Other patients show jaundice without jaundice (anicteric hepatitis).

In children younger than 6 years of age, the diagnosis can often be missed as the clinical findings are not obvious.

The definitive diagnosis is blood tests and examination of hepatitis A antigen and antibodies. It can be diagnosed with.

In addition, liver tests should be examined in patients and serology of other hepatitis should be evaluated. These tests should be repeated at the beginning of the disease and during the recovery period.

• Hepatitis infection is seen in all age groups.

• The infection leaves lifelong immunity. .

• It may progress with epidemics. In 2016, 7134 people died from hepatitis A infection.

• It is important to be protected by vaccination.

• There has been a significant increase in this infection in recent years.

• Contaminated food and water are important in transmission.

• It is noted that personnel infected with hepatitis A working in the food industry, who have no symptoms or have mild disease, are also effective in transmitting the infection.

• Those who are drug addicts Infection is severe in individuals and homeless people.

• Hepatitis A vaccine is sufficient to protect against the disease.

• The vaccine is given in 2 doses, 6 months apart.

• Children and young people between the ages of 2-18 are vaccinated. No booster dose is required.

The remarkable increase in hepatitis A cases has caused the age of vaccination in children to be reduced to 1 year old. The vaccination schedule for Hepatitis A vaccine is planned as 12 months - 24 months.

 

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