Virginia Sees First Reported Cases Of Covid-Related Syndrome Affecting Children

First Tennessee and now the Virginia Department of Health officials are reporting the first Virginia case of Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children that is associated with COVID-19. The Fairfax Health District is confirming a case of the disease involving a child hospitalized on May 5, who has since recovered and is now home. The first U.S cases were reported in New York City in early May. The illness may cause problems with a child’s heart and other organs. Most patients have a fever lasting several days and may show signs of irritability, decreased activities, abdominal pain without explanation, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, and swollen hands and feet. – Electric 94.9 News

We first reported on PMIS on May 14th, after the first known case was reported in Tennessee. As for symptoms,

“Many kids with the syndrome — but not all — develop rashes, too. The rashes are red and often appear on the hands, forearms and chest, Dr. Ofori-Amanfo said, although they can appear anywhere. They typically turn white when you press on them, and then turn red again when you stop. They also usually cover a large area — a child’s entire face, for instance, or a substantial part of their arms or legs. “It’s not like a tiny speck of a rash. It’s pretty diffuse,” Dr. Cheung said.

Kids with the syndrome sometimes also have red eyes, cracked lips, a sore tongue, swollen hands and feet. ” New York Times

As always, seek medical advice from your family pediatrician. In the meantime, keeping our children as far away from this virus as possible can only be considered the front line precaution. – Jinger Royal