Two Utah children recover from hepatitis as cases grow worldwide
May 25, 2022, 1:10 PM | Updated: 1:34 pm
Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. (Intermountain Healthcare)
(Intermountain Healthcare)
SALT LAKE CITY — Two children who were infected with hepatitis without a known cause and later hospitalized have recovered, according to the Utah Department of Health.
State health officials said the two Utah children were younger than 10 years old and were originally hospitalized with severe liver issues.
It’s unknown how they got infected, but recent data suggest the virus adenovirus type 41 — a virus that usually causes mild colds or stomach illnesses in children — could be the cause.
COVID-19, bacteria and urinary tract infections could also be the cause, according to the CDC.
“There are many causes of hepatitis, but evaluation of these children did not find a clear source,” state epidemiologist Leisha Nolen said. “While rare, children do get hepatitis, and we don’t always know the cause.”
These cases are similar to what has been seen in other states. While both children were hospitalized with serious liver illness, they have since recovered.
Hepatitis is a form of liver inflammation which can lead to severe illness.
— Utah Dept. of Health (@UtahDepOfHealth) May 25, 2022
The CDC noticed this trend in October 2021, with nine children in Alabama contracting adenovirus.
While the children didn’t test positive for hepatitis A, B or C, they did show symptoms of the disease and tested positive for adenovirus.
According to the CDC, all children were considered healthy, ranged from 1 to 6 years old, and lived in different parts of the state.
All nine children have recovered.
CNN reported on Friday that there were 621 cases in 34 countries, with 180 of those being from the United States.
UDOH asks parents to keep an eye on any symptoms such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, joint pain and yellowing of the skin.
Simple actions to protect your child and those around you include washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, and keeping up-to-date on all vaccinations.
To learn more visit, https://t.co/SFwpLKRPDF.
— Utah Dept. of Health (@UtahDepOfHealth) May 25, 2022
