Pediatric hepatitis C

What is pediatric hepatitis C?

Pediatric hepatitis C a virus that causes a child’s liver tissue to swell and become inflamed. It is passed by coming into contact with the blood of an infected person.

What are the different types of pediatric hepatitis C?

• Acute (sudden) - Children with acute hepatitis C can typically fight off the virus without lasting health problems. If the child doesn’t clear the virus after six months, it becomes chronic.

• Chronic (ongoing) - Children with chronic hepatitis C have an active infection that they have not cleared after six months and often do not show symptoms. Hepatitis C can cause advanced liver damage throughout the child’s life.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric hepatitis C?

Children with hepatitis C can develop symptoms four to 12 weeks after they are infected with the virus.

Symptoms can include:

• Fatigue

• Jaundice

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Pain above liver (upper right abdomen)

• Pale colored stools

• Urine that is dark in color

What are the causes of pediatric hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is caused by coming into contact with the blood of an infected person via:

• Blood-to-blood contact

• Mother-to-child via birth

• Blood transfusions

• Sharing or being stuck by needles

• Unprotected sex

• Sharing toothbrushes and nail clippers