Introduction
A new syndrome is affecting the children and teenagers in 2020. It is a severe condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). It has a connection to COVID-19 coronavirus disease. Hence, this is a disease you need to take seriously. The U.S. disease control centre CDC recently recognized a new syndrome in children and teens. It is a critical issue and ignorance of this pediatric inflammatory, multisystem syndrome or PIMS, can turn fatal for the affected children. The term MIS-C was first identified in April 2020, as a condition that leads to inflammation in different organs of the body. It can affect organs like heart, kidneys, digestive system, skin, blood vessels, brain or eyes. At present, MISC is rare, and recovery is possible with proper medical treatment.
What is MISC or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children?
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children(MISC disease) or Kawasaki disease is the inflammation of the blood vessels, damaging the heart, kidneys and other organs related to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
It is an issue that mainly impacts children and teenagers. The main causative factor of the MISC disease is SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The children having this disease were positive for COVID-19. The children display the disease symptom of inflammation of the blood vessels, which may further lead to damaging the heart, kidneys and other organs of the body. The disease is similar to Kawasaki disease, which is a threat for children under five years.
MISC Symptoms:
The MISC symptoms develop within four weeks of exposure to the coronavirus or coming in contact with a COVID patient. The signs and symptoms of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children are the following:
- High body temperature for more than 24 hours
- Nausea
- Weakness due to Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Rashes on the skin
- Redness in the eyes
- Redness or swelling on lips or over the tongue
- Unusual tiredness
- A sensation of redness or swelling on hands or feet
Provided below are the MIS-C emergency symptoms, when the child needs immediate care:
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Continuous Chest pain or pressure
- Confusion
- Blueness in lips or all over the face
- Severe pain in the stomach
Treatment for MISC
Doctors and scientists have observed that MISC is a treatable syndrome with the right treatment in the hospitals as well as paediatrics care. The procedure is dependent on the severity of the symptoms. The MISC Treatment includes different types of therapies that target the immune system and reduce inflammation. MIS-C is not contagious, and the medication is in the form of inflammation-reducing drugs and related medicines. It reduces inflammation of the targeted vital organs of the patient. Your child may have chances of active infection with the COVID-19 virus or another type of contagious infection. Hence, the hospital follows the protocol for infection control for the quick recovery of the child.
Prevention of MISC
The parents need to ensure MISC prevention for the small and young kids. It would help if you avoid exposure to the COVID-19 virus directly or being around a COVID patient.
You must adhere to the guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for prevention of this disease:
- Clean your hands by using soap-water or sanitizers with a minimum value of 60% alcohol
- Prevent getting in contact with sick people, like people with signs of cough, sneeze or showing other related symptoms
- Practice social distance in public, by remaining a minimum 6 feet apart from other persons
- Children and adults need to wear a mask in public places. It should cover both the nose and mouth of a person.
- Regularly do the cleaning and disinfection of the surfaces you often touch, like switches, chairs, countertops, tables, handles, remotes, faucets, toilets, etc.
- Wash the clothes and items in regular use, with warm water for disinfection
MISC and COVID-19 Connection
As per the doctors and scientists, the MIS-C is associated with the virus that causes COVID-19, but it can also happen to children not displaying typical symptoms of COVID. It can occur in children who have not had any common symptoms of COVID-19, such as shortness of breath or cough. Hence the parents need to be careful with the signs of children.
