During these tough and challenging times, it is hard to keep up with the health issues. Many symptoms of severe diseases are often neglected because of COVID strain and people take it as covid. However it is absolutely necessary to know about the diseases and health issues which are related to Covid and develop into serious health condition. Children are at high risk in these times because their immunity is not that strongly developed as to fight the virus. Hence let us look at a health disorder which can threaten immune system of children and make them prone to corona virus. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome is one such issue which turns serious and affects children in majority.
What is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome?
It is a health condition which is linked to heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, digestive system and tissues. It mostly occurs in children and has mild symptoms which later on become inflamed. To understand this syndrome further we talked to Dr. Viren Mishra who is the Head of Oncology Department in Max Medicity Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. He said that MIS-C is basically an inflammatory syndrome which is more likely to occur in children due to weakened immune system.
How Does Corona Affect Multi Inflammatory Syndrome?
Since the corona virus is currently the major cause which is making people’s immune system weak, MIS-C has higher chances of developing and becoming severely inflamed. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome has similar symptoms like corona virus and thus it is more risky towards the children because one affects the other. The important point here is that MIS-C develops through mild Covid strain, which means even the slight symptoms of COVID, can help develop this syndrome in children. It affects their body functions such as liver, heart and kidney in most of the cases.
Symptoms of Multi Inflammatory Syndrome-
Since it is not known much about this syndrome, the signs and symptoms may vary in different children. But most of them have these symptoms-
- Vomiting
- Long lasting fever
- Diarrhea
- Pain in Stomach
- Skin Rash
- Feeling usually tired
- Fast heartbeat
- Rapid Breathing
- Red eyes
- Redness or swelling in lips or tongue
- Swelling in hands or feet
- Constant headaches and dizziness
- Enlarged lymph nodes
These are some normal symptoms which occur in children due to MIS-C syndrome. However there are some condition which may be life threatening in this case, if the child has these symptoms then you must immediately see a doctor or medical expert.
- Severe stomach pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Pale, grey or blue coloured skin, lips or nails
- Inability to wake-up or stay awake
Causes of Multi-Inflammatory Syndrome
Major cause of MIS-C is not known yet but what is determined is that COVID-19 response towards immune system is the major threat in falling for this syndrome. Many children who have tested positive in anti-body result have actually got this syndrome. That means somewhere or the else corona virus is the culprit behind this syndrome. It is even possible that you might have multi-inflammatory syndrome with ongoing Covid infection.
Also Read-Influenza-B Has Similar Symptoms Like Corona, Know The Difference And Treatment For Influenza-B
What Are The Risk Factors Involved in MIS-C?
There is certain complication which comes with this syndrome; the foremost is COVID-19. Since it is a factor influencing this syndrome, multi-inflammatory syndrome can damage your immune system. It affects most of the major body functions in children which are lungs, heart and kidney. Affected area can be damaged permanently which can also pose a risk of life. Kidney failure, lung disease and heart attacks are some major complications which are involved with MIS-C syndrome. It may also happen to teenagers and adults but the possibility to it is much less comparatively.
Prevention Tips for Multi-Inflammatory Syndrome-
Prevention tips for your children are quite similar to that to corona virus. The exposure to covid can result in MIS-C thus there precautions are important to follow for both covid and this syndrome-
Keep washing hands- keeping your hands clean is very important during these times, children often touch more things, hence regular hand wash and sanitization is important.
Avoid sick people- People in particular who are coughing should be avoided. Since large numbers of people are having some or the other diseases hence it is important to make your children stay away from them.
Social Distancing- Children should be strictly stay away and maintain proper social distancing as they are more prone than the adults. In fact try not exposing them to outside people for a while.
Wear masks in public- Children should also wear masks whenever you take them outside. If other surgical masks are too big or cause irritation, then make them wear clothes masks. They are of better fabric and do not cause irritation.
Avoid touching nose, eyes and mouth- Corona virus spreads rapidly through nose, eyes and mouth, hence beware that your children does not touch their face too much.
Also Read- Is Vaccination Before and After 5 Days of Period Risky?
Disinfect and keep high-touching surfaces clean- Children more often have tendency to touch things around them. This if kept can cause them infection, hence keep household items sanitized and disinfected frequently.
Wash clothing and other items regularly- Clothes should be washed more frequently than normal, especially with the kids around you. Wash your clothes with warm water, it helps in disinfecting your clothes.
Conclusion
Multi-Inflammatory syndrome is caused by corona virus and has similar symptoms like the COVID-19. It affects children majorly because they have comparatively weaker immune system than adults. MIS-C mostly happens after the child has had mild covid hence it is important to take care of them the most. The complications for this syndrome can be severe, it can cause damage to lungs, heart and kidney. Hence there are some set of precautions which you must follow in order to keep you and your children safe in these tough times.
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