If your child(ren) or loved ones was diagnosed with MIS-C. Here are some tips on what parents and/or care givers need to know. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s website for more information and available resources.

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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome popularly known as MIS affects children (MIS-C) and adults (MIS-A). It is said to be a “rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19 in which different parts of the body become inflamed including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you or loved ones are experiencing the above symptom(s), please consult a physician.

Image(s): University of Miami Hospitals and Clinics; andremsantana/360 images from Pixabay

I get this question a lot, “What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?” I thought this infographic helps in answering and bringing some clarity. Reminder, COVID-19 cases continue to soar due to the highly transmissible omicron variant, please continue to follow public health preventive measures such as masking up and avoiding large crowd. For more up to date information on COVID-19, please visit the www.cdc.gov

Image credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Washington State Department of Health; Mohamed_hassan/5596 images from Pixabay

Omicron variant is the newly named variant of COVID-19. This variant is said to be highly transmissible thus resulting in increase in the numbers of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, fatalities, breakthrough infections, and reinfections. Preliminary Studies and investigations suggest that two vaccine doses of Pfizer/Moderna or one dose of Janssen may not be enough in protecting against Omicron. Vaccination and booster shots are considered necessary in the fight against Omicron and other variants of concern. In all, data continues to show that fully vaccinated are less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 if infected. if not vaccinated yet, please consider getting one of the vaccines and if fully vaccinated, consider getting the booster shot.

Image(s)credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);

WHO

Evidently, children and toddlers can also get COVID-19! Data from the  American Academy of Pediatrics shows cases to have been increasing among children partly due to highly contagious delta variant. Initially, COVID-19 was milder in this age group but the delta variant has led to a surge in the number and severity of pediatric cases. It is important to note that children infected with COVID-19 can develop complications requiring hospitalization. Thankfully, the authorized Comirnaty (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine in young children aged 5-11 is expected to reduce pediatric COVID-19 cases. Additionally, Spikevax (Moderna) and Janssen vaccine have submitted data for the same age group as well. Vaccine remains the best weapon available in the fight against COVID-19, please consult your child(ren)’s pediatrician on COVID-19 and vaccine related questions. Continue to encourage your child(ren) to practice all public health preventive measures such as wearing face mask, washing hands, and social distancing.

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Data supporting the need for a booster shot shows that at least after 6 months of fully vaccinated, protection against the COVID-19 virus may start to wear off over time. Meaning that the vaccine may be less effective in protecting against delta variant and other variants of concern. Thankfully, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized booster shots of Comirnaty (Pfizer)’s vaccine and in the coming months Spikevax (Moderna) and Janssen booster shots are expected to be approved by the FDA. Please take the booster shot when it is your turn in order to reduce morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. Talk to your healthcare provider for questions/concerns you may have about the booster shots.

Image credit(s): (1) Shasta County California-Shasta Ready (2) Unknown

As delta variant and other variants of concern continue to drive new COVID-19 cases globally, it is important to know that fully vaccinated people can also get COVID-19 which is commonly referred to as breakthrough infections. While bulk of the new COVID-19 cases are found among the unvaccinated it is important more than ever to continue to practice the preventive measures (such as masking up, washing hands, avoiding large crowd etc.) even when fully vaccinated. Vaccines are readily available now, please get vaccinated, if not done so already. Vaccine is the only weapon we have thus far in the fight against COVID-19. Help stop the spread of the virus by doing your part! Consult your physician, if you have any COVID-19 related questions including symptoms, vaccinations etc. #vaccineswork

Featured Image Credit: Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay