Coronavirus warning - CDC warns doctors over Kawasaki-like disease linked to COVID-19

CORONAVIRUS continues to take hold across the globe. As part of a new warning issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a Kawasaki-like disease has been linked to COVID-19 that affects children.

By Katrina Turrill, Health Editor based in London, specialising in breaking news, common health conditions, real life stories, and diet and exercise

Kawasaki: Expert says UK need to ‘look out for’ rare syndrome

Coronavirus has been shown to affect different people in a variety of ways. The NHS states the main symptoms of the virus are a fever and a new, continuous cough, but other symptoms have since come to light including shortness of breath, muscle breath and a new loss of taste or smell. Symptoms have also been shown to vary in severity, from mild to deadly.

While children can be infected with coronavirus and become ill, they’ve been shown to be less susceptible to infection than adults and their symptoms are generally milder.

But the CDC has now issued an advisory on an inflammatory disease which mainly affects children and an association with COVID-19.

The condition is called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and has been likened to Kawasaki disease - an illness which causes inflammation of tissues in the body, including the hands, feet, mouth, lips, throat and even the whites of the eyes.

MIS-C was first reported in Britain in late April, where experts found the first clear evidence that infection with coronavirus causes the Kawasaki-like condition.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Five-month-old bay with COVID-19 develops symptoms of Kawasaki disease

Coronavirus warning - CDC warns doctors over Kawasaki-like disease linked to COVID-19

Coronavirus warning - The CDC has warned doctors over a Kawasaki-like disease linked to COVID-19 (Image: GETTY)

The CDC have said: “Healthcare providers who have cared or are caring for patients younger than 21 years of age meeting MIS-C criteria should report suspected cases to their local, state, or territorial health department.”

MID-C has been reported in at least 110 New York children, and several other states in the US, including California, New Jersey and Washington, have also reported cases.

The CDC have said physicians should “consider MIS-C in any paediatric death with evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection,” referring to the virus that causes COVID-19.

The CDC added it’s not yet known if the condition is limited to children.

DON'T MISS

The NHS lists the symptoms of coronavirus in children as the same for adults - a high temperature and a new, continuous cough.

If your child is five or over you should use the 111 online coronavirus service

If your child is under 5 and present symptoms you should call 111.

The NHS advises you call 111 or your GP surgery if your child:

  • Is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a fever
  • Is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a fever
  • Has other signs of illness, such as a rash, as well as a high temperature (fever)
  • Has a high temperature that's lasted for 5 days or more
  • Does not want to eat, or is not their usual self and you're worried
  • Has a high temperature that does not come down with paracetamol
  • Is dehydrated – for example, nappies are not very wet, sunken eyes, and no tears when they're crying

Coronavirus warning - CDC warns doctors over Kawasaki-like disease linked to COVID-19

Coronavirus warning - COVID-19 symptoms in children include a fever and new, continuous cough (Image: GETTY)

You should call 999 if your child:

  • Has a stiff neck
  • Has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it (use the "glass test" from Meningitis Now)
  • Is bothered by light
  • Has a seizure or fit for the first time (they cannot stop shaking)
  • Has unusually cold hands and feet
  • Has pale, blotchy, blue or grey skin
  • Has a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their usual cry
  • Is drowsy and hard to wake
  • Is extremely agitated (does not stop crying) or is confused
  • Finds it hard to breathe and sucks their stomach in under their ribs
  • Has a soft spot on their head that curves outwards
  • Is not responding like they usually do, or not interested in feeding or usual activities

Coronavirus warning - CDC warns doctors over Kawasaki-like disease linked to COVID-19

Coronavirus warning - If your baby is under 3 months old and has symptoms call 111 (Image: GETTY)

What is Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease is a condition that mainly affects children under the age of 5 and is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.

The characteristic symptoms are a high temperature than last for five days or more with:

  • A rash
  • Swollen glands in the neck
  • Dry, cracked lips
  • Red fingers or toes
  • Red eyes

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