Children Are Developing This Mysterious Illness…

5 cases of mysterious liver disease identified in Colorado – FOX 31 Denver

The CDC is investigating mysterious cases of hepatitis in young children, and doctors believe a virus may be the cause. If this virus is the cause, children may present with fevers, fatigues, decreased appetites, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

Doctors are trying to understand why some children develop severe hepatitis (liver inflammation) that can result in liver failure. These cases have been linked to a common adenovirus that typically causes colds and conjunctivitis (pinkeye). Additional symptoms include stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Doctors and researchers are not sure what’s causing nine cases of adenovirus in children younger than 10, but they are working hard to figure it out.

Two children were hospitalized at UNC with acute liver failure, but they both recovered without a transplant. No other cases have been reported in North Carolina, but the state has asked medical professionals to be on the lookout for acute pediatric hepatitis cases of unknown cause.

The WHO reports that 17 children have required liver transplants because of acute hepatitis with an unknown cause.

Parents should be aware that if the whites of their child’s eyes start to look yellowish, they should see their doctor right away. Hepatitis can recover on its own, but parents should still make sure their child is up to date on their vaccines.

Mothers Amy Eisenbeisz and Sandi Fischer plan to stay vigilant and watch for symptoms. They recommend washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing a mask, and avoiding sick people.

Want to learn more about this mysterious illness? Check out the news outlets below to stay up to date:

  1. 5 cases of mysterious liver disease identified in Colorado  FOX 31 Denver
  2. Common virus may be linked to liver failure in healthy children  WRAL News
  3. Puzzling pediatric hepatitis cases echo an earlier mysterious illness  STAT
  4. Cases of viral hepatitis reported in Colorado  9News.com KUSA
  5. New information about mysterious hepatitis cases  KELOLAND.com
  6. View Full Coverage on Google News