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A MOM has described the nightmarish battle her son had with a rare condition linked to coronavirus that left him screaming as his organs shut down.

Anthony Lawson, 13, was struck down with the condition in late April, but it wasn't until weeks later he was rushed to hospital where medics diagnosed pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome (PMIS), warning his horrified parents every moment could be his last.

 13-year-old Anthony screamed as his organs shut down, his mom said
13-year-old Anthony screamed as his organs shut down, his mom saidCredit: Theresa Michaels-Lawson
 Anthony's horrified parents were warned their son could die
Anthony's horrified parents were warned their son could dieCredit: Theresa Michaels-Lawson

Scientists in the UK discovered it takes about 14 days for the terrifying syndome to take hold, presenting in vomiting, bloodshot eyes, weakness, swollen and red hands, a rash, and stomach pains - as well as other horrific symptoms.

The syndrome is linked to Covid-19, with kids usually showing antibodies for the virus, but it's not always the case that they will have gotten sick with coronavirus at all before the onset of PMIS.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are set to issue an alert about PMIS as it has spread to 17 states across the US.

Anthony's mom, Theresa Lawson, told Today her son's symptoms began with itchy eyes and a headache, which she just chalked up to seasonal allergies.

But just two days later, Anthony began vomiting and had no appetite.

Three days after his initial symptoms, and with no sign of getting better, Anthony was rushed to urgent care.

 Anthony, pictured with his sister Teddi back in 2019
Anthony, pictured with his sister Teddi back in 2019Credit: Theresa Michaels-Lawson

Signs of new 'Covid-linked' paediatric inflammatory multi-system syndrome

Based on the early data available, the experts found that the children who were admitted to hospital had similar symptoms to Kawasaki disease, which include:

  • A rash
  • Swollen glands in the neck
  • Dry, cracked lips
  • Red fingers or toes
  • Red eyes

Dr Liz Whittaker, of Imperial College London, who has treated some of the children noted that they also had some other symptoms.

She said: "These children are usually presenting when they’ve had high fever for a few days.

"A large proportion of them have had severe acute abdominal pain and diarrhoea and some of them have had other symptoms such as a rash and red eyes and red lips.

"A very small group of these children develop something called shock, which is where the heart is affected. Those children become very unwell they get cold hands and feet and breathe very fast.

"These are the group who need to be in intensive care and getting urgent treatment rapidly.

"Most children seem to be very unwell for four to five days, but then get better."

Once back home, Theresa noticed he'd developed a rash on his thigh.

A call to the facility advised the mom-of-two to give him Benadryl and put him to bed, but just a few hours later the rash had spread to his chest and turned a "deep purple."

Bu 11pm that same night, Anthony was sweaty, vomiting and his hands had turned blue.

Theresa also said the whites of his eyes looked like they'd been "painted red".

It was when Anthony began to struggle to breathe that Theresa knew he needed to be taken to hospital.

"He ... was making this wheezing, gargling sound," she said.

Once at hospital, doctors confirmed the boy was in cardiac and kidney failure - but  a Covid-19 test was negative and so he was taken by ambulance to the cardiac ICU of Seattle Children's Hospital.

I didn't recognize any part of my child's personality

The terrified mom recounted how she asked one doctor: "'This has to be some kind of mistake ... A handful of hours ago he was fine ... You're going to be able to fix him, and we'll be able to bring him home, right?' ... (The doctor) goes, 'This is incredibly serious and could be fatal.' I thought I was going to fall over."

A gruelling five days followed, of indescribable pain, Theresa said.

"He was just screaming.

"I didn't recognize any part of my child's personality," the mom explained, adding Anthony seemed to be having 24/7 hallucinations.

She added: "We were told on multiple occasions he wouldn't survive the next hour.

"I started to come unglued."

On the fifth day, docs administered a drug called IVIG, a first-line treatment for Kawasaki disease - similar to IMIS but generally affecting those under five.

Anthony's hallucinations stopped, and since he has been doing much better, his mom said.

She added: "I'm hopeful we've gotten through the worst of it, but we still have days."

Anthony said after his ordeal, it feels "amazing to be alive".

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