The COVID-19 pandemic has taken so many lives due to the seriousness of the virus. Recently, there has been another result of the virus, one that can have a significant effect in the lives of those once thought to be impervious: children. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is described by the Center for Disease Control as a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes or gastrointestinal organs. For children, its impact is even more severe, as they may experience fever among other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or even increased fatigue. As of now there is no known direct cause of MIS-C, but it is reported that children who have MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or they were in contact with someone who had it.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, the COVID-19 Daily Dashboard tracks all outbreaks of the virus, including MIS-C. Currently, the largest outbreak of MIS-C within the state is in Prince William County. So why haven’t more parents been made aware of this potentially deadly condition, especially in light of the rising COVID-19 numbers?

The CDC has provided recommended measures for local health officials to deal with the issue, which you can find here. Before one looks at the numbers and dismisses it, we must look back to when the first cases of the coronavirus appeared in the states this past winter. It has become a full-blown epidemic, with several people becoming continuously sick, and in tragic cases, resulting in death.

We spoke with Heather Page (RN, BSN, MPH student) about the seriousness of understanding MIS-C early. “Parents should learn the symptoms of MIS-C so they can be aware of this emerging health concern,” said Page. “It is also important to realize that this can happen weeks after the expose or illness with COVID-19.”

So much time has been spent focusing on ensuring our children are protected from returning to school so quickly, more measures must be taken to protect them from a potential outbreak of MIS-C. Prince William County is already suffering from an increasing infant mortality crisis, and to this date little has been done to address it on a legislative level. How much longer will MIS-C be ignored before it becomes the next tragedy in an already tragic year?