New York is investigating the death of a five-year-old boy who died on Thursday in New York City of coronavirus-related complications, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Friday.
"This is every parent's nightmare, right? That your child may actually be affected by this virus. But it's something that we have to consider seriously now," Cuomo said in his daily
Cuomo said the state recorded 73 cases of the disease in children, three of whom — all under ten years old — died from the illness.
Doctors are labeling the mysterious illness "pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome," and the state is looking to see whether this illness has caused other deaths in children in recent weeks.
"This would be really painfulWhile children do not usually develop severe or life-threatening symptoms from the coronavirus, experts say it's possible that coronavirus could exacerbate or at least be linked to symptoms of other diseases in children, including Kawasaki disease.
Kawasaki disease, though extremely rare — affecting approximately one in 10,000 children under the age of 5 annually — can be fatal if left untreated, though it is generally treatable, per the Mayo Clinic. The disease causes inflammation in artery walls throughout the body and presents as fever, rash, and swelling of lymph glands.
Toxic shock, on the other hand, is caused by the overgrowth of bacteria, like staphylococcus, that releases harmful toxins into the body. Children suffering from toxic-shock can have flu-like symptoms, rashes, and fevers. Advertisement"Caution to all people who again may have believed that their child couldn't be affected by COVID," Cuomo said.
If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:
- Prolonged fever (more than five days)
- Difficulty feeding or holding down fluids
- Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting
- Pale, patchy, or blue skin color
- Trouble breathing or rapid breathing
- Racing heart and chest pain
- Decreased amount or frequency of urine
- Lethargy, irritability, or confusion