Everything you need to know about mystery kids’ Kawasaki disease-like illness linked to Covid
THE NHS has warned GPs to be on the lookout for a new “inflammatory syndrome” that could be linked to coronavirus.
The alert, sent out on Sunday night, said there has been a rise in children needing intensive care in the last three weeks.
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Officials warned of "a multi-system inflammatory state, requiring intensive care across London and also in other regions of the UK".
Some of those children struck by the mysterious condition have tested positive for Covid-19, while others have not.
Doctors have been told the children displayed signs similar to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and Kawasaki disease, a condition that causes inflammation to the heart.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has admitted he is "very worried" by reports of the rare but serious set of symptoms in children.
Meanwhile, England’s top doctor Prof Chris Whitty said it is “entirely plausible” that the condition is linked to coronavirus.
Public Health England and leading experts are investigating.
But what exactly is the kids' Kawasaki disease-like illness linked to Covid? And how serious is it?
Here, we take you through all you need to know about this new condition...
What is the new condition?
The short answer is medics aren’t sure.
Doctors and infectious disease experts are still learning about the condition because it is still very new.
Dr Daniel Atkinson, clinical lead at Treated.com told The Sun it’s an “autoimmune reaction similar to toxic shock syndrome”.
TSS is where bacteria gets into the body and releases harmful toxins that cause a temperature and flu-like symptoms, as well as nausea and vomiting and a loss of consciousness in severe cases.
It was the Paediatric Intensive Care Society that issued the alert to the NHS.
They told GPs: "There is growing concern that a [Covid-19] related inflammatory syndrome is emerging.
"Please refer children presenting with these symptoms as a matter of urgency."
Hospitals say they have been treating youngsters "of all ages" with the mystery condition.
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How is it linked to coronavirus?
Some, but not all kids with signs of this new condition have tested positive for coronavirus.
But, it’s not yet clear if there is a direct link with Covid-19.
Public Health England are investigating, as NHS England’s medical director Prof Stephen Powis said: “It is really too early to say whether there is a link.”
England’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof Chris Whitty added: “This is a very rare situation, but I think it is entirely plausible that it is caused by this virus, at least in some cases.”
I think it is entirely plausible that it is caused by this virus
Professor Chris Whitty
"We know that in adults who of course have much more disease than children do, big problems are caused by an inflammatory process."
Dr Atkinson told The Sun in some cases patients with Covid-19 do suffer a “severe, post inflammatory response”, where the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue.
He added: “This could, in theory lead to an exacerbation of the inflammation we see in Kawasaki disease.
“But again, because we’ve only just started to see these cases and they’re still relatively rare, we don’t know for sure.”
How serious is it?
This new condition could be very serious, say doctors.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical director of Patientaccess.com, told The Sun children can end up needing treatment in intensive care, and could prove fatal in severe cases.
It’s been likened to Kawasaki disease, which cause inflammation to the heart and can lead to aneurysms, heart attack and heart disease.
In rare cases patients with Kawasaki disease can suffer internal bleeding if an aneurysm bursts.
Around 25 per cent of cases go on to experience heart complications, which can result in fatality in about two to three per cent of cases ,if not treated.
Dr James Gill, a GP and honorary clinical lecturer at Warwick Medical School, added: "Multi-system inflammatory diseases are exceptionally serious for children and already stretched intensive care teams, so keeping an extra eye out for new symptoms in the patients we see is always a good thing."
How many children are affected?
The reassuring news is that this new inflammatory syndrome is very rare.
It’s thought to have affected between 20 to 30 kids in the UK, with around 12 needing intensive care treatment.
Meanwhile, in the US, three children are being treated for signs at a New York hospital, after a six month old in California is believed to be among the first medically recorded cases.
Blood samples taken from children thought to be affected, are consistent with those suffering severe coronavirus infections.
What are the symptoms?
Health chiefs said in an alert to GPs the signs include:
- Stomach pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms - like vomiting and diarrhoea
The mysterious condition has been compared to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and Kawasaki disease.
The signs of TSS are:
- High temperature
- Flu-like symptoms, like headache, feeling cold, aches, sore throat and cough
- Feeling and being sick
- Diarrhoea
- Widespread burn-like rash
- Lips, tongue, and whites of the eyes turning bright red
- Dizziness or fainting
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion
Signs of Kawasaki disease include:
- A rash
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Dry, cracked lips
- Red fingers or toes
- Red eyes
What have the experts said?
At Monday's government press briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock admitted he was "very worried" about the new wave of cases putting children in intensive care.
He said: "It's a new disease that we think may be caused by coronavirus.
"We're not 100 per cent sure because some of the people who got it hadn't tested positive, so we're doing a lot of research now.
"It is rare, although it is very significant for children who do get it; the number of cases is small."
It is rare, although it is very significant for children who do get it
Matt Hancock
Prof Powis, NHS England's medical director, announced experts were looking into the reports of symptoms being experienced among some children in the UK.
"We have become aware in the last few days of reports of severe illness in children which might be a Kawasaki-like disease," he said.
Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, added: "We are encouraged cases in children are not increasing, but these symptoms sound concerning and we will be working closely with colleagues to respond appropriately."
When should I call an ambulance?
If you are worried your child could be suffering from the symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice, as soon as possible.
Contact your GP or call NHS 111.
Dr Jarvis told The Sun: "The NHS is very much open for business.
"If you have a child who is seriously unwell, you should call an ambulance – your child is much better off in hospital if they’re seriously unwell."
She said you should always call an ambulance if your child:
- Is unwell with the symptoms above (tummy pain, diarrhoea and vomiting)
- Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to the touch or has blue lips
- Has pauses in their breathing or severe problems breathing
- Has a fit/seizure
- Becomes extremely distressed (crying inconsolably despite distraction)
- Becomes confused, very lethargic (difficult to wake) or unresponsive
- Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass test’)
Prof Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), said parents should be reassured children with Covid-19 are unlikely to be seriously ill.
He added: "We already know that a very small number of children can become severely ill with Covid-19 but this is very rare.
“Evidence from throughout the world shows us that children appear to be the part of the population least affected by this infection.
"New diseases may present in ways that surprise us, and clinicians need to be made aware of any emerging evidence of particular symptoms or of underlying conditions which could make a patient more vulnerable to the virus.
"However our advice remains the same: parents should be reassured that children are unlikely to be seriously ill with Covid-19 but if they are concerned about their children's health for any reason, they should seek help from a health professional."
My kid has a fever and a rash, could this be it?
A rash doesn’t seem yet to be a clear symptom of this condition, according to experts.
However, Dr Jarvis adds: "If your child is poorly and has a rash that doesn’t fade when you press a glass against it, you must call 999."
Some children with Covid-19 are developing rashes as well.
A fever is a common symptom of coronavirus and those with the new condition often develop a high temperature.
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The RCPCH say parents need to look out for:
- Babies under three months of age with a temperature above 38°C / 100.4°F
- Infants of three to six months of age with a temperature above 39°C / 102.2°F
- All infants and children with a fever above 38°C for more than five days