The Illinois Department of Public Health has received reports of severe hepatitis in at least 9 patients under the age of ten which is up from three that were reported in April.  The cases date back to January and the most recent had the onset of symptoms in May.  2/3rds of the children tested positive for adenovirus, which is a common virus that causes cold or flu-like illness.  Five patients were reported in northern Illinois, two in the western part, one in the central, and one in the southern part of the state.  All of the children ended up being hospitalized, with one needing a liver transplant. 

The IDPH update follows a recent report from the CDC about 180 pediatric patients under investigation over the past seven months across the US.  IDPH has been working with local healthcare providers to learn of other suspected potential cases in the state and has asked providers to be on the lookout for symptoms and to report any suspected cases of hepatitis in children. 

Symptoms to be on the lookout for hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver, include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice.  Hepatitis can be caused by virus and appear to have an association with adenovirus 41.  Adenovirus spreads from person-to-person and most commonly causes respiratory illness but can cause gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, and cystitis. 

For more information go to https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2022/han00462.asp.