UK Raises Alarm Over New Life-Threatening Inflammatory Syndrome Related to COVID-19 Affecting Children

The National Health Service (NHS) is on high alert after an inflammatory syndrome has emerged in a number of children in the United Kingdom (UK).

According to the Daily Mail, NHS board health chiefs have sent an alert to all General Practitioners (GP). "There is growing concern that a related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children in the UK," they said. 

The inflammatory syndrome may be connected to COVID-19, which makes children suffer from stomach pain, cardiac inflammation, and gastrointestinal symptoms. It could also include vomiting and diarrhea.

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Sounds familiar

Doctors compare this novel syndrome with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and Kawasaki disease. The NHS says, "TSS is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into the body and releasing harmful toxins." 

Like COVID-19, TSS can worsen quickly and become fatal if it is not treated immediately. However, if it is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, most people can fully recover from it. 

On the other hand, Kawasaki disease "causes swelling (inflammation) in the walls of medium-sized arteries throughout the body," according to Mayo Clinic. This usually affects the coronary arteries, which gives blood to the heart muscle.

High fever and peeling skin are some of the signs of Kawasaki disease. Fortunately, like COVID-19, Kawasaki disease can be treated. Most children who had it usually recover without encountering any problems. 

Both diseases, according to the Daily Mail, "cause harmful internal swelling, fever and breathing problems - all hallmark signs of COVID-19."

This leaves doctors scratching their heads because only a few children have died to COVID-19. They are resilient to a life-threatening disease like COVID-19, but coined a "super-spreader of viral illnesses such as flu," in a report by the Daily Mail.

Astonishing

Some children diagnosed with the inflammatory syndrome tested negative for COVID-19. This makes future diagnoses more difficult, which will look into the possibility of another pathogen behind the syndrome.

Pediatric infectious diseases specialist Adilia Warris, a professor at the University of Exeter, said there has been a handful of cases. "It could be caused by COVID-19 or another unknown pathogen," she said.

Only nine people below 19 years old out of 18,420 have succumbed to COVID-19 in England. At 0.05 percent, scientists are suggesting "that lower rates of other serious illnesses and a lack of age-related lung damage may be protective," according to the Daily Mail.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 or Sars-CoV-2  is the virus strain that causes COVID-19.

Diarrhea, aches, pains, and loss of sense of taste and smell are symptoms of COVID-19. The Science Times reported, "loss of smell, also known as Anosmia, or diminished sense of taste or ageusia, have both occurred as abnormal revealing signs of COVID-19." 

It also revealed, "Diarrhea, as well as the other digestive symptoms are found to be the major complaints of almost half of the COVID-19 patients."

Should the syndrome become common, it may pose another challenge for health practitioners. 

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