The family of an eight-month-old boy has set up a petition calling for more information about the disease that tragically killed their son. Alexander Parsons died in 2020 following a battle with Kawasaki disease and his parents have been fighting for two years to raise awareness of the condition and its potential links to Covid-19.
Kawasaki disease is being linked to cases of PIMS-TS - Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome - which is similar to Kawasaki, but occurs following a coronavirus infection. Alex suffered a fever and runny nose before he was hospitalised, reports PlymouthLive.
The petition, currently containing around 1,400 signatures, is asking for better public health messaging for PIMS-TS including making information more easily accessible, and ensuring all medical professionals are aware of symptoms and treatment.
Since their initial heartbreak in April 2020, Alex’s mum, Kathryn Rowlands, from Plymouth, has been urging the Government to “explore the connection between Covid and Kawasaki." Aunt Hannah Rowlands said: "It's really hard. It doesn't feel like it's been two years, it feels like it was only yesterday.
"It's been such a struggle to get something in his name, I don't think there will be a year that goes by where we don't struggle."
The petition states: “We are calling on the UK government, the DHSC, the UKHSA, the RCPCH, and the NHS to step up and help us achieve this.” The Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has shared information about PIMS-TS online, stating that some children with Covid-19 can develop the inflammatory illness.
As PIMS-TS is a new illness, there is not too much widely-available information about its causes, nor why it develops in some children and not others. Misdiagnosis is common as there are a number of other illnesses with similar symptoms, such as Kawasaki disease, sepsis, and toxic shock syndrome according to the GOSH website.
Hannah explained: "We want people to act quickly. They do need prompt treatment but we don't want to cause a panic. Not every child with Covid will get PIMS, but there is the potential for any child with Covid to get PIMS, so we really want to get the information out there."
For more information or to sign the family's petition, click here.
