Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been established that the most vulnerable population is the elderly. However, a new complication has arisen that is a concern for children who contract the virus.

Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS) affects the youngest coronavirus patients specifically, and can cause damage to a child’s immune system and heart. So far confirmed cases have been few and far between, but healthcare professionals emphasize that it can occur in any population where the viral spread has been prevalent. Dallas County Health Department Public Information Officer Ann Cochran notes that there were some recent PMIS cases in Cedar Rapids, and she advises people to take extra steps to protect their children from getting coronavirus in the first place. “To think that it is not going to come here, I think would be an error. It seems to be related to COVID-19, and that certainly has community spread here in our region, so there’s no reason to think that the complications for pediatric patients wouldn’t also present themselves.”

Cochran adds, if a parent is out working during the day and interacting with a lot of people, whether wearing a mask or not, it’s a good idea for that person to change clothes and possibly even shower before spending time with their children or other family members. To learn more about this and other COVID-19 topics, click the link below to listen to the most recent Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Cochran.

https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2020/05/20/lets-talk-dallas-county-5-20-2020-ann-cochran/