Rare “MIS-C” COVID Complication Appearing in Adults

COVID-19 has proven to be one of the most unpredictable viruses we’ve dealt with, capable of leaving one person asymptomatic and the person next to them fighting for their lives in the ICU. Just when we were sure we’d seen the worst of its effects, reports started flooding in that some children were experiencing a new deadly complication.

Dubbed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), the issue seemed to affect children and teenagers solely, that is until recently. Case studies detailing what appears to be multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) are becoming more and more common. Let's look at why and what's happening.

MIS-A: A Rare Complication of COVID-19

Like MIS-C, MIS-A is a rare complication that doctors are still struggling to understand. Unlike most issues related to COVID-19, this response occurs after the patient has recovered from their COVID-19 infection. Sufferers present with bloodshot eyes, high fevers and severe systemic inflammation that affects multiple organs. Many have neurologic symptoms and suffer respiratory failure despite the absence of respiratory infection. Some sufferers develop also blood clots.

Experts have compared MIS-C to a similar syndrome called Kawasaki disease. No one is exactly sure why it occurs, but it seems to be related to how the immune system responds to certain viral infections. Kawasaki disease also causes bloodshot eyes, rampant inflammation and organ involvement, often leading to heart complications, but so far, it’s only ever been observed in children.

Understanding MIS-A

Until recently, deadly COVID-19 effects in adults had appeared limited to the infections themselves, with most systemic inflammation cases coinciding with active symptoms. Just like with MIS-C, though, it appears that no one is safe from developing MIS-A, and all it takes is the wrong person catching COVID-19.

Details on this syndrome may still be developing, but researchers have published a set of criteria for diagnosing MIS-A:

• Patients are 21 or older and ill enough to require hospitalization.
• A positive SARS-CoV-2 test has been submitted within the past 12 weeks.
• Dysfunction in at least one organ other than the lungs has occurred.
• Laboratory markers for inflammation are present in the blood.
• Respiratory illness is absent.

According to the CDC, cases have remained rare, with only 27 cases documented so far. Which seems like it may be nothing to worry about but the death rate is pretty scary as in three cases out of those 27, the patients have died. It appears to respond well to corticosteroid treatment, though, which is inexpensive and highly accessible. And at least now we know that this is possible, so we can be alert to it as well.

MIS-A is just one possible complication that can result from COVID-19 so the best course of action remains prevention. Stay safe by wearing a mask out in public, practicing social distancing and washing hands frequently, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available. This pandemic has some scary tricks up its sleeve, and the only way to guarantee we don’t suffer serious issues is to avoid catching the virus in the first place.

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