What Precautions Should A Childcare Center Take For A Child with Hepatitis C Infection?

Discussion It is estimated that 180 million people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis C (HCV) which includes ~11 million children. In the United States it is estimated that there were 30,500 acute HCV cases in 2014, and 2.7-3.9 million people with chronic HCV. Many infections are not identified. It is estimated that “…only 5-15% of HCV-infected children in the United States are identified.” Problems associated with HCV include acute hepatitis (including fever, malaise, dark-urine, abdominal pain, jaundice, appetite loss, nausea, emesis, clay-colored stools), acute fulminant hepatitis (not common in children), hepatic fibrosis, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Vertical transmission (particularly with HIV-coinfected mothers), injection drug use and iatrogenic exposures (blood, blood product or solid organ recipients, blood exposures through needlesticks, tattooing, etc.) are the most common ways children and youth are infected. International adoptees, particularly from the high prevalence areas of Africa, China, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia, are also at risk. Sexual transmission between heterosexual partners has not been demonstrated in prospective studies. Transmission among family contacts is uncommon. Acute symptoms can appear from 2-12 weeks (up to 24) weeks after infection. Clearing of the HCV infection does occur especially in infants and toddlers (clearing after age 3 with vertical transmission is uncommon), but 60-80%...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news