overview
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a serious illness that appears to be related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Most children infected with the COVID-19 virus are only mildly ill. However, in children who develop MIS-C, certain organs and tissues – such as the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, digestive system, brain, skin, or eyes – become severely inflamed. The signs and symptoms depend on the areas of the body affected.
- MIS-C is considered a syndrome – a group of signs and symptoms, not a disease – because not much is known about it, including its cause and risk factors. Recognizing and studying more children with MIS-C can potentially help identify a cause. United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health are working with doctors and researchers across the country to learn more about risk factors for MIS-C, share data, and improve diagnosis and treatment. Treatment of MIS-C.
- Rarely, some adults develop signs and symptoms similar to MIS-C. This serious new syndrome, known as adult multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-A), occurs in adults who were previously infected with the COVID-19 virus, many of whom did not even know it. MIS-A appears to appear weeks after being infected with COVID-19, although some people have a current infection. If MIS-A is suspected, a diagnosis or an antibody test for COVID-19 can help confirm current or previous infection with the virus, making it easier to diagnose MIS-A.
The reasons
The exact cause of MIS-C is not yet known, but it appears to be an excessive immune response related to COVID-19. Many children with MIS-C will have a positive antibody test result. This means that they recently had an infection with the COVID-19 virus. Some may have a current infection with the virus.
Risk factors
In the United States, more black and Latin American children were diagnosed with MIS-C than children of other races and ethnic groups. Studies are needed to determine why MIS-C affects these children more often than others. Factors can include, for example, differences in access to health information and services, and the possibility of genetic risks.
Most children with MIS-C are between 3 and 12 years old, with an average of 8 years old. Some cases have also occurred in older children and babies.
prevention
The best way to prevent your child from developing MIS-C is to take steps to avoid exposure to the COVID-19 virus and teach your child how to do the same. The CDC recommends following these precautions to avoid exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19:
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid sick people. In particular, avoid people who cough, sneeze, or have other signs of being sick and contagious.
Practice social distancing. This means that you and your child should be at least 2 meters away from other people when you are outside your home.
Wear cloth masks in public places. If social distancing is difficult, you and your child – if they are at least 2 years old – should wear face masks that cover their nose and mouth.
Do not touch your nose, eyes or mouth. Encourage your child to follow your example and not touch them.
Cover your mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you sneeze or cough. You and your child should practice covering their mouths when sneezing or coughing to prevent the spread of germs.
Clean and disinfect heavily affected surfaces every day. This includes areas in your home such as doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, handles, counters, tables, chairs, desks, keyboards, faucets, sinks, and toilets.