:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/CNE5ERE2PVBKLCN56ILDGV7UUY.PNG "Monkeypox and childhood hepatitis, the new challenges of the world after the coronavirus")
After more than two years of the health crisis, due to the pandemic Covid-19 and the incessant fight that countries around the world have made to mitigate the disease, two new diseases have been in the news in recent weeks, which stand out due to the public’s ignorance.
They are about the acute childhood hepatitis and monkeypox that have put society on alert.
The monkeypox vaccine and other factors that make the current outbreak not (so) worryingWhat do we know about acute childhood hepatitis?
In recent weeks, around 348 cases of childhood hepatitis of unknown origin have been detected among children between 2 and 6 years of age, in various countries around the world, according to the OMSbut what do we know about the epidemic that is affecting several children in the world?
In accordance with BBC new doctors and specialists handle the following hypotheses:
– The first possibility: the hepatitis A, B, C and E virus is ruled out because no sample has been positive for these viruses.
– Some intoxication by food, drinks or toys. Toxins or poisons can affect the liver very seriously. At the moment it does not seem likely because no common link has been found between all the cases, but the possibility of a still unknown toxin is not ruled out.
– Nor does it seem to be of bacterial origin, it does not present with fever.
– No child had been vaccinated against Covid-19, so it is also ruled out that it is a possible side effect of the vaccine.
– Some, not all, have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. One hypothesis would be that coronavirus infection leaves children more vulnerable to other infections. Nor can a possible complication or sequel to Covid-19 be ruled out.
– However, the hypothesis that seems most likely for some researchers at the moment is that of an adenovirus infection. Half of the cases have tested positive for these viruses, which typically cause diarrhea, vomiting and flu-like symptoms.
First cases of childhood hepatitis in Mexico
Last Thursday, May 12, the State Secretary of Health of New Lion reported that four child patients with acute hepatitis have been reported in public and private hospitals of the entity, all of whom are stable, and are being monitored to assess their evolution.
Symptoms of childhood hepatitis
The symptoms of this disease are common and more so in this hot season, when gastrointestinal problems increase and children often have vomiting or diarrhea.
But in particular, children with hepatitis develop in association with diarrhea and vomitingabdominal pain and a yellowish color both in the skin and in the mucous membranes, and then “the conjunctiva of the eyes looks a little yellow, just like the skin, and we call that jaundice”, which is one of the main characteristics of hepatitis.
What is monkeypox and what are the symptoms?
Also known as “monkeypox ”it is a very rare disease, which generally presents with fever, myalgia, lymphadenopathy (swollen glands) and rash on the hands and face, similar to chickenpox and is transmitted through contact with animals or close contact with infected people or contaminated materials.
The people under study evolve positively and are isolated in their homes, although close surveillance must be maintained, since they may require hospitalization.
Those responsible for Public Health are awaiting the results of the laboratory tests and evaluating the role of the smallpox vaccine to control transmission, as well as the use of antivirals if necessary.
Its symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue. Skin rashes can also appear, especially on the face, and spread to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which then falls off.
The illness usually lasts two to four weeks.
The incubation period is from seven to 14 days, although in some cases it extends to 21.
First cases of monkeypox in America?
USA confirmed last Wednesday, May 18, its first human contagion of monkeypox, while Canada investigates 13 suspected cases.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced in a statement the confirmation of monkeypox (or monkeypox) infection in a man who recently traveled to Canada.