While this is still true for most children with COVID, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) recently released a health alert about a rare but serious possible complication of COVID called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C.
As of the time of this article, there have been over 200 possible and confirmed affected children in the U.S. Much of this new disease is unknown, such as who is at risk and whether it is always related to COVID.
However, here is what we know:
MIS-C is a disease where there is inflammation all over the body causing complications such as low blood pressure and damage to organs.
It bears a lot of resemblance to another disease in children called Kawasaki Disease, which occurs when the blood vessels in the body are inflamed.
However, whether or not your child has been tested for COVID, if he/she is sick and has any of the symptoms listed above, or persistent vomiting, diarrhea, severe belly pain, decreased urination, continues to be irritable or very sleepy, call your pediatrician, 911, or go to your local emergency room.
