NYC Health Department Warns Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Is Possibly Linked to Coronavirus in Children
64 cases compatible with this syndrome have been identified in children in New York hospitals. If you suspect your child has symptoms of this illness, her doctor should immediately refer you to a pediatric infectious disease specialist, and you need to report the case to the Department of Health.
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Early diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome is key, the NYC Health Department says, and treating Kawasaki disease is critical to prevent organ damage and other long term complications. Some children don't develop syndrome symptoms until a month after exposure to coronavirus, according to doctors at a news conference in Westchester on May 8.
Any patient who meets this criteria must be reported to the NYC Health Department through the Provider Access Line (866-692-3641), or your local New York health department:
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The child is less than 21 years old with persistent fever lasting more than four days, and either incomplete Kawasaki disease, typical Kawasaki disease, and/or TSS
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No alternative causes of these symptoms
Patients should be reported regardless of their coronavirus test result, if they are able to be tested. Your doctor is also required to report your child's symptoms to the state. For more information, visit the Department of Health website, and keep up with coronavirus news in your area so you can adapt as this situation changes.