REPORT: Kawasaki-like illness linked to coronavirus now appearing in young adults

From the Post:

Jennifer Lighter, a pediatric infectious diseases doctor at NYU Langone, said younger children with the condition seem to have symptoms that look more like traditional Kawasaki, which is characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels. But teens and young adults have more of an “overwhelming” response involving the heart and multiple organs.

“The older ones have had a more severe course,” Lighter said.

The presentation of the new illness is very different from what doctors saw in children with covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, who showed up at emergency rooms during the first wave of sickness in March and April. Back then, many pediatric patients had preexisting conditions, active coronavirus infections and trouble breathing. Those coming in now are mostly previously healthy children and young adults who suddenly develop fever, abdominal pain and/or nausea and vomiting and rashes that can be signs of more serious problems.

Many patients test positive for coronavirus antibodies, suggesting the condition may be a delayed immune response as the patients were likely infected weeks earlier.