Boy fights with mysterious syndrome related to corona virus

In the mid-April days, 14-year-old Jack McMorrow spotted many red spots on his hands, felt blurred vision and had severe abdominal pain. Jack's parents just see it as common problems that a naughty child often encounter.

Only 10 days later, Jack faced more severe symptoms. Jack's parents had to consult the pediatrician through the form of online video calling. By the end of the week, Jack was taken to an emergency clinic.

One morning, the boy woke up and could not move. Jack constantly has high fever, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure and lymphadenopathy. ' Throbbing pain runs through a vein , ' Jack describes the horrible memory.

Mysterious syndrome

Little Jack, once perfectly healthy, is now hospitalized because of many symptoms of heart failure. Jack is a case of polymyositis syndrome in children, the syndrome is dangerous and is related to corona virus.

Jack McMorrow boy and his parents in the apartment in Queens. (Photo: The New York Times).

According to The New York Times, this syndrome has been detected in about 200 children in the US and Europe, many of whom have died. Manifestations include high fever, digestive problems, coronary artery inflammation, heart disease, ischemia, etc.

Experts are studying the method of comparison between polysystrophic syndrome in children and Kawasaki disease. Experts believe that this rare syndrome often appears in school-aged children, rather than infants.

The emergence of polymorphic inflammatory syndrome has disrupted the notion that corona virus does not usually affect children. Leading American epidemiologist Dr. Anthony S. Fauci warned: 'We must not be subjective and assume that children are immune to the disease'.

Gheorghe Ganea, senior physician for the Jack family, said: 'Once the cardiovascular system weakens, other internal organs are seriously affected. The boy could completely die '.

Jack's parents, John McMorrow and Doris Stroman, do not know why their son is infected with the corona virus. After March 18, little Jack learned online at home and rarely went out. Both Jack's parents and sister tested negative for corona virus.

Those days do not forget

The McMorrow family took Jack to Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, which specializes in corona virus infection. Jack recalled: 'I begged to go home. But the doctor said if I returned, I would die. That statement made me want to fight and overcome the disease. '

Jack comatose on the hospital bed. (Photo: The New York Times).

On admission, Jack's heartbeat is twice as high as normal to combat low blood pressure. Dr. Steven Kernie of Columbia University commented that Jack had a severe heart failure , making it difficult for blood and oxygen circulation in the body to be difficult.

Doctors do not understand why Jack suddenly had heart failure despite the completely normal indicators. But they pay attention to vascular inflammation throughout the body , thereby guessing about severe myocarditis.

Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital has received dozens of cases with similar symptoms to Jack McMorrow. But Jack was the only patient who tested positive for corona virus and was a 'clue' to help the medical community research more about this rare syndrome.

On the third day of intensive treatment, the oral blood pressure medication did not work so the doctors had to put a catheter to inject the medicine directly into the boy's body. The hospital also prepares an extra ventilator in case Jack's heart is seriously impaired.

Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, where Jack is treated. (Photo: The New York Times).

After the failure of a series of experimental methods, doctors decided to prescribe muscle-boosting steroids to fight inflammation and suppress the immune system. Unexpectedly, Jack gradually recovered and only needed blood pressure medication after a few hours.

Doctors are not sure that steroid medicine is an effective treatment for polymorphic inflammatory syndrome in children. But this drug began to be applied and recorded many positive results.

Fire the dream

After a week, Jack is fully recovered and can email the teacher from his hospital bed. Jack still has regular cardiac exams and steroid medication for the next few weeks. Doctors hope that some leftover cardiovascular damage will heal on its own and not recur.

After getting sick, Jack wishes to become a doctor. (Photo: The New York Times).

The boy shared: 'Before I was sick, I was thinking about studying medicine. After surviving the death toll, I truly fell in love and wanted to become a doctor. Having more opportunities to live makes me want to devote more to my life. '

Researchers are still considering whether the syndrome is derived from a genetic gene. Many similar cases with Jack McMorrow have been recorded in the UK, France, Italy and Spain.