An event that will push the panic button in most schools is for a child to show up with hepatitis. This activates a massive cleaning program during which desks, doorknobs, walls, floors and windows are swabbed down with disinfectant and rooms are sprayed. Yet, many children go to school with mild cases of hepatitis and no one ever knows about it, not even the child. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There are two kinds of hepatitis - Hepatitis A (also known as infectious hepatitis) and Hepatitis B (often referred to as serum hepatitis).
The two are very difficult to differentiate, as the symptoms are the same for both. However, they are caused by two different viruses that are in no way similar. But when hepatitis occurs in children, it is usually Hepatitis A.
In the earlier stages the child feels sick, has a fever, has no appetite and complains of a stomachache. One to two days later nausea and vomiting set in. Finally, jaundice and an enlarged liver are present. But in children, hepatitis is usually very mild. It can be so mild that no one is aware of it. The child feels sick, has a low fever, has no appetite, and has a stomachache. This lasts a couple of days, then the symptoms disappear and the child is well again. Hepatitis A is caused by ingestion of the HAV virus. This can happen when human bodily waste materials enter the water or food supply. The incubation period is four to six weeks and it is most contagious in the latter stages. However, one attack gives lifetime immunity. Hepatitis A is prevalent in childcare centers that accommodate children two years old or under due to diaper changing. However, cases of Hepatitis A can be easily prevented or diminished. All that is needed is for people to thoroughly wash their hands after using the restroom. So children should be taught to lather their hands and arms up to the elbows and rinse thoroughly. Then dry thoroughly. They should be reminded to do this every time they use the restroom.
HEPATITIS
This practice should also be followed by everyone preparing food and be mandatory for food service employees in schools and elsewhere. The virus causing Hepatitis B is totally different from Hepatitis A. This virus is found in the body fluids of infected people. It is also called serum hepatitis as it used to occur following blood transfusions. This no longer happens due to the strict screening of blood donors. In spite of this, there are still one million carriers in the USA. Although the symptoms for Hepatitis B are the same as for Hepatitis A, the incubation period is longer, one to six months as opposed to four to six weeks. The illness also lasts much longer. Lab tests are required to differentiate Hepatitis A from Hepatitis B. The two commonly used tests are liver function tests and antigen/antibody tests. Without the antigen/antibody tests one can not be absolutely certain whether the patient has A or B. The antigen/antibody tests are very expensive. Therefore doctors usually just order the liver function test and do a clinical diagnosis.
An injection of IG (immune globulin) will prevent Hepatitis A most of the time. However, whether to or not to give this has to be decided by a doctor.
Hepatitis During Childhood HEPATITIS
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