Hepatitis cases are on the rise among children

Doctor holding a card with text HEPATITIS, medical concept

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Severe hepatitis is becoming more common in children between the ages of 1 and 5 years old, according to doctors in Scotland.

According to Public Health Scotland , there has been a total of 14 hepatitis cases identified this year. Parents and caregivers are urged to watch for signs of gastrointestinal distress, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and jaundice.

Though it is unclear what the cause may be, hepatitis can be associated with exposure to a toxin or a drug like Paracetamol. This drug is commonly used in pain relievers and has the potential to cause harm the liver by disrupting the critical structural connections between neighboring cells in the organ.

Cell damage is known to occur in liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer, but it has never been related to paracetamol toxicity until now, according to The British Liver Trust.


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