First Reported Case Of Pediatric Covid-19 Related Syndrome In Tennessee. What You Need To Know.
There is a condition striking children that health officials believe may be related to coronavirus antibodies. Tennessee has reported its first known case of “Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome.” Here’s where there can be a lot of confusion; as the medical community struggles to understand this new rash of illnesses in children, several terms have been used. Due to the similarities of symptoms it can be addressed as Kawasaki Sydrome. Some initial cases were believed to be toxic shock syndrome.
Now that a possible link to coronavirus antibodies has been identified, for the sake of clarity, we will use the new term, Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome or PMIS. Here’s what you need to know about PMIS.
“Doctors in 17 US states are reporting that at least 164 children have fallen sick with a rare inflammatory illness similar to a condition known as Kawasaki disease. Symptoms include fever and inflammation and can affect organs, including the heart. Some of the children have tested positive for Covid-19 or antibodies to the virus, and three have died.” – Vox.com
“Symptoms include persistent fever, inflammation and poor function in organs such as the kidneys or heart. Children may also show evidence of blood vessel inflammation, such as red eyes, a bright red tongue and cracked lips, said Dr. Moshe Arditi, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.” – CNN.com
“In a Senate committee hearing Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also remarked that there are many unknowns with Covid-19, “particularly when it comes to children … We really have to be very careful because the more and more we learn, we’re seeing what this virus can do.”
As Henderson told Vox, “As in any infection, it is important for parents to seek care with their pediatrician if their child has high fevers, new rash, significant abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, persistent diarrhea, or any other concerning symptom.” – Vox.com
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/14/health/pediatric-coronavirus-syndrome-multisystem-health/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/10/health/coronavirus-mystery-children-symptoms/index.html
Where to go for help:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
The Tennessee department of health.
https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html
The Virginia department of health
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
Ballad Health Covid-19
https://www.balladhealth.org/medical-services/infectious-disease
This new and rare complication appears to strike children who may have had coronavirus and not all kids present symptoms. As with any health concerns, please contact your family physician. I am not a doctor, nor do play one on TV, this information is intended to provide you with resources. – Jinger Royal
jingerroyal2@gmail.com
