SPRINGFIELD, IL (KMOX) - The Illinois Department of Public Health says it has received reports of a total of nine patients now under investigation for severe hepatitis - or liver disease - in children under ten years of age.
That's up from the three that were first reported in April.
Two thirds of the patients tested positive for adenovirus -- a common virus that typically causes cold or flu-like illness. 5 cases are in northern Illinois, two in the western part of the state and one each in central and southern Illinois.
Missouri health officials are investigating ten possible cases. There are 180 pediatric patients under investigation nationwide - with five deaths and fourteen percent needing a liver transplant.
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain and jaundice.
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