A top Aussie doctor says children who weren’t exposed to typical viruses due to Covid restrictions could be at risk of hepatitis – a severe liver condition.
Peter Collignon, a microbiologist and infectious diseases expert, said lockdowns during the pandemic may have reduced kids’ exposure to adenoviruses – common viruses that can cause cold-like symptoms, including fevers and sore throats.
‘If you get infections when you’re very young, you seem to have better immune protection,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
Being exposed to adenoviruses at a slightly later stage could cause children’s immune systems to overreact and trigger hepatitis – also known as liver inflammation.
Peter Collignon (pictured) is an Australian microbiologist and infectious diseases expert
Health officials in the UK are investigating 108 cases of sudden-onset hepatitis in kids since the beginning of the year – eight were so ill they had liver transplants, the BBC reported.
The European Centre for Disease Control also said a number of childhood hepatitis cases have been detected in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain. There are also nine new cases in the US.
Hepatitis type A and E are usually contracted as a result of poor hygiene – when a person consumes food or drink contaminated with small particles of infected faeces.
But according to the British broadcaster, scientists say it is increasingly likely adenoviruses are responsible among the new cases.
Prof. Collignon said there has not been a spike in hepatitis infections among Australian children, but warned ‘it’s entirely possible it could happen’.
‘The BBC article is speculative – these are theories and they will be explored,’ he said.
‘Hepatitis is a serious condition and we do need to sort it out.’
Another scenario being investigated is whether there has been a change in the genetic make-up of the adenovirus that could mean liver inflammation is more easily triggered.
None of the impacted children were vaccinated against Covid-19, ruling out any link between vaccines and hepatitis.
Despite the rise of hepatitis cases internationally, Mr Collignon said the number of people who have the condition is still very small, but urged parents to watch for symptoms.
People with the liver condition will experience yellowing skin and eyes, and very dark urine.
‘If anyone is worried, see a doctor or go to hospital,’ he added.
