Coronavirus is continuing to spread in the UK, and now reports have started to circulate about a possible increase in the number of children with Kawasaki disease. During No 10’s press briefing on Monday, scientists revealed what parents should do if they become worried about their child.
Earlier this week, an NHS board in London sent an emergency alert to GPs across the country.
They warned that they were growing concerned that a COVID-19-related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children.
Children had been reporting abdominal pain, cardiac inflammation and gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea.
Doctors compared the mysterious condition to a number of other conditions, including toxic shock syndrome, and Kawasaki disease.
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“We have become aware of reports in the last few days of severe illness in children, which might be a Kawasaki-like disease,” said Professor Powis, during No 10’s daily press briefing.
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“Both Chris [Witty] and I are aware of that. We have asked our experts – I’ve asked the National Clinical Director for children and young people to look into this as a matter of urgency, and I know the secretary of state is concerned, as he’s said.
“What I should say, as we’ve already said this afternoon, is that our advice to parents is ‘this disease is very, very rare’.
“If you are worried about a child that is becoming sick, not recovering, then do remember to contact 111, talk to your GP, or in an emergency, contact 999, because the emergency services and the NHS are there for sick children.
“Although I must emphasise, this is very, very rare, you should still come forward and seek treatment and diagnosis as quickly as possible.”
Chief medical officer, Chris Witty, admitted that it’s possible the condition is linked to the coronavirus outbreak.
He told parents to contact 999 if the symptoms in their children continue to deteriorate.
Professor Witty said: “This is a very rare situation, but I think it is entirely plausible that this is caused by this virus, at least in some cases.
Source: Daily Express
