Some have breathing troubles too, added Sood, “but not necessarily as dramatic or severe” as those seen in adults with severe COVID-19. Some patients are presenting with symptoms closer to “toxic shock syndrome,” another rare disease seen as a complication of bacterial infection. One older child seen by Sood came in with low blood pressure and a rash caused by inflamed blood vessels. “It could well be that this virus drives the same inflammatory response that other viruses drive in Kawasaki disease,” said Sood. This ties in with what we have learned about how an abnormal immune response, called a “cytokine storm” in adult COVID-19 patients, can cause severe damage to their lungs.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 29, 2020 23:26 UTC