Childhood Hepatitis B: Recognizing Symptoms, Seeking Treatment, and Implementing Prevention Strategies
Headline: Early Vaccination Crucial in Preventing Long-term Complications of Hepatitis B in Children
The hepatitis B virus, a contagious liver infection, can have serious consequences for children if left untreated. Chronic hepatitis B, which affects about 90% of infants infected at birth or early childhood, can lead to liver damage, liver failure, and liver cancer.
Subhead: Understanding the Risks and Prevention Measures
Cirrhosis, or liver scarring, and liver cancer, known as hepatocellular carcinoma, are potential outcomes of chronic hepatitis B. The risk of these serious complications is higher when infection occurs during infancy or early childhood, making early prevention crucial. In the United States, the lifetime risk of cirrhosis is about 20% to 30%, while the risk of liver cancer is around 10% to 25%, higher if cirrhosis develops.
Paragraph 1: To combat this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a 3-dose vaccination schedule for hepatitis B in infants and children. The first dose is given within 24 hours after birth, with the second dose at 1 to 2 months of age, and the third dose between 6 and 18 months of age. If the mother is hepatitis B positive, the vaccine should be given within 12 hours of birth alongside hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) to protect the child.
Paragraph 2: Preterm infants weighing less than 2 kg may have modified timing but generally follow the same schedule once stable. The vaccination series is designed to establish long-term immunity. If the infant did not receive the birth dose, vaccination should start as soon as possible.
Paragraph 3: While the hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective, it may cause mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site and low-grade fever. Serious allergic reactions are very rare.
Paragraph 4: It's important to note that hepatitis B is not curable, but it can be managed with treatment and prevention measures. Other common modes of transmission in children include sharing of personal items, having open cuts or sores, and contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, including blood and saliva.
Paragraph 5: In 2020, doctors reported new cases of chronic hepatitis B, with about 88% of those diagnosed being older than age 30. This highlights the importance of vaccination for infants and children to prevent long-term complications.
Conclusion: Early vaccination is critical in preventing the high risk of chronic infection and subsequent liver disease in children infected early in life. The hepatitis B vaccine is the most effective form of protection against the virus, and the CDC recommends it for all infants and unvaccinated children under 19 years. Regular monitoring and antiviral medications are necessary for children with chronic hepatitis B to manage the infection and prevent complications.
