America is trying to get back to work these days in the face of the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, and it’s distinctly challenging. Everyone is under a lot of stress, with food and economic insecurity, and a general sense of malaise that is difficult to shake. One report indicated that as many as 82% of US workers suffer from work-related stress, and that number could rise as a result of what’s happening right now.
In the early days of the outbreak, parents could at least take a little comfort in the fact that children didn’t seem to be impacted by the virus as much as the elderly or those with preexisting conditions. Unfortunately, a troubling new disorder has emerged that seems to be targeting younger carriers.
Multisymptom Inflammatory Disorder
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has identified a condition occurring in children that is Covid-19 related. They call it multisymptom inflammatory disorder. It seems rare, at least for the moment, but it is frightening enough that it has plenty of parents worried.
This disorder has shown up in at least 19 states and Washington, D.C. as well. At one point, it was being referred to as pediatric multisymptom inflammatory syndrome.
Most of the cases have been reported in New York state, which has been hit hardest by the virus in terms of deaths and infection rates. Three young children have died of it there, while New Jersey has seen at least 17 cases. It has also shown up in:
- Ohio
- Kentucky
- Georgia
- Connecticut
What are the Diagnosis Criteria?
Doctors seeing this condition in children report a fever of at least 100.4 for at least 24 uninterrupted hours. Inflammation in the body is another giveaway, coupled with problems in at least two organs. Those might include:
- The lungs
- The heart
- The kidneys
To receive the diagnosis, though, the child in question must also show evidence of having Covid-19. A positive diagnostic test can serve as confirmation, or there is also a kind of test that looks for antibodies.
What Are Doctors Saying?
Doctors who have come in contact with this disorder say that it resembles Kawasaki disease or toxic shock syndrome. Severe inflammation of the coronary arteries seems to be a common symptom as well. Understanding of this particular aspect of Covid-19 is in the earliest possible stages.
What Does the CDC Say About It?
The CDC states on their website that “There is limited information currently available about risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment for MIS-C.” That’s not exactly going to come as good news for parents, especially in parts of the country that are trying to reopen.
The CDC has reached out to healthcare providers who feel they have encountered this disorder. It’s part of a concerted effort to compile a database about this new wrinkle in the Covid-19 story and to start coming up with some ways of fighting the disorder when it appears in younger children.
Can Adults Develop Multisymptom Inflammatory Disorder?
As of now, there have been no indications that Covid-19 affects adults in precisely the same way as has been described for this newly emerging disorder. In adults, more common symptoms include a general sense of fatigue, fever, respiratory distress, muscular weakness, and muscular pain. Other possible signs are a sore throat, a loss of taste or smell, chills and shaking.
There are also more atypical signs manifesting in some people.
What Can You Do to Prevent Multisymptom Inflammatory Disorder in Your Children?
Regrettably, there is no way of knowing yet why the children who have contracted this condition have done so. It seems evident that hundreds, and probably thousands of more children have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus. But why have these new symptoms emerged in some and not others?
The reality is that there is still so much about the virus that isn’t known. New and often baffling symptoms seem to be popping up month-to-month, or even week-to-week. The best thing that you can do to prevent your children from falling victim to multisymptom inflammatory disorder is to follow the general Covid-19 guidelines recommended by the CDC.
What Are Those Guidelines?
You should keep your children away from any playdates with their friends, at least until your state has determined that it is safe to do so again. They can have online playdates through conference apps like Zoom or Skype.
If you do go out with your kids, make sure that they wear a mask. It can be either one of the disposable face masks or a cloth one. There are tutorials online on how to make a cloth mask if you don’t have any of the disposable ones, or you can buy cloth masks from online retailers like Etsy.
What if Your Kids are Having Trouble Coping with this New Way of Life?
Earlier, we spoke about work-related stress. It is doubtless going to be stressful for parents as they try to get back to work amid such a tumultuous period in our history. But what about the younger children who have a hard time understanding why they can’t see their friends, teachers, and perhaps other family members with whom they would typically interact?
You’ll need to try and explain to them as best you can that these are dangerous times, and you have to prevent them from getting sick. You can tell them that things will go back to normal soon, but for now, it’s your responsibility to protect them and keep them out of danger. You might even be able to make a game out of your quarantine situation.
As new manifestations of the virus rear their ugly head, make sure that you do all you can to keep yourself mentally healthy. If you co-parent, then see if your spouse or partner can take the kids sometimes so you can have a little downtime. You won’t be much good to your children if you’re stressing yourself out too much.
Disclaimer: Content from the ConsciousLifeNews.com website and blog is not intended to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on this website is intended for general consumer understanding and is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. As health and nutrition research continuously evolves, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information presented on this website.
