BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – World is now having a big shock with the WHO report related to the emergence of a mysterious hepatitis diseases or acute hepatitis that attacks children.
Based on the report, the first case was found in the UK in early April 2022 and as of 1 May, it had spread to 20 countries, including Indonesia.
Teacher of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pasundan as well as a pediatrician, dr. Lianda Tamara, Sp.A. said, mysterious hepatitis or hepatitis of unknown origin is a hepatitis disease whose cause is unknown.
This was revealed after an initial examination by British health authorities of pediatric patients indicated to have the disease.
“Hepatitis virus we often hear are hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. On this mysterious case, there are symptoms which are similar to the hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, but the blood check revealed negative result for the previous five viruses,” she explained, on Thursday, 12 May 2022.
Until now, vaccines which are routinely given for children are hepatitis A and B vaccines. Therefore, according to dr. Lianda, the current vaccines cannot prevent the infection of this mysterious hepatitis.
Symptoms and transmission of hepatitis
Several cases were reported to occur to a group of children. There are several possibilities that children are susceptible to be infected by this mysterious virus. dr. Lianda guessed that this is due to the development of children’s immunity which is not powerful yet.
“Mysterious hepatitis virus attacks more on children because of children’s vulnerable condition of immunity, compared to adults,” she said.
Nevertheless, it is also possible for adult to be infected by the virus although with a much lighter symptom or, based on what is called by WHO, Epi-Linked.
- Lianda also said that the early symptom which needs to be aware of is: the yellowed-like face condition, vomiting, weak, feverish, pale-coloured feces and indigestion.
“In case reports, 71.2 percent of the symptoms of mysterious hepatitis were yellow. The child’s feces also look pale: followed by diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea,” she said.
While severe symptoms that may be experienced by patients are decreased consciousness (may be accompanied by seizures) and increased liver function. For that, there needs to be an examination of the hepatitis panel to determine the type of hepatitis virus.
PHBS Becomes the Important Factor
Since one of infection is transmitted by the unhealthy lifestyle, dr. Lianda urged people to apply Clean and Healthy Lifestyle (Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat, PHBS).
“Wash your hands using soap and running water, wash eating utensils as clean as possible, cook food until it’s fully cooked, maintain cleanliness after urinating, do not share personal items with other, reduce consuming snacks in an unhygienic place and avoid contact with sufferers,” she explained.
Report immediately if you feel the symptoms
If you feel infected, dr. Lianda advised to immediately seek medical treatment since medical personnel have already received socialization program from the Ministry of Health and the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (Ikatan Dokter Anak Indonesia, IDAI).
There are flow of diagnosis, laboratory examination, and treatment that can be carried out when receiving patients with suspected acute hepatitis.
“The treatment provided is limited to improving clinical conditions and monitoring symptoms in the intensive care unit, because until now there is no specific drug to cure children from acute hepatitis infection,” she concluded. (Reta)*
