The heartbroken parents of an eight-month-son who died of a Kawasaki -like disease, which is linked to Covid, are demanding more is done to help raise awareness of the disease.
Alexander Parsons died in 2020 following a brave battle with Kawasaki disease - and parents Kathryn and Jon are calling for more awareness and information about the disease that tragically killed their baby, PlymouthLive reported.
Kathryn and Jon said their son suffered a fever and runny nose before he was taken into hospital but it is unknown if he contracted coronavirus.
Mum, Kathryn Rowlands, and dad, Jon Parsons, have set up a petition asking for better public health messaging for PIMS-TS, which is being linked to cases of PIMS-TS - Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome - similar to Kawasaki, but occurs following a coronavirus infection.
The devastated parents want information more readily accessible and ensuring all medical professionals at every level are aware of PIMS-TS symptoms and treatment.
The petition stands at just short of 1,400 signatures and since their heartbreaking lost in April 2020, the family have been fighting ever since for more research and awareness into the link between the illnesses.
Alex’s mum, Kathryn, from Plymouth, has been urging the Government to “explore the connection between Covid and Kawasaki and get more information out there".
Alexander's aunt, Hannah Rowlands, said the family have been trying to get the Government to “explore the connection between Covid and Kawasaki" but they were turned down at every level.
She claimed the Government told them it was not an issue they dealt with, while NHS England said it was also not the right department to contact either.
After contacting NHS senior staff and involving their local MP Luke Pollard, the family were finally able to set up the petition in time for the two-year anniversary of Alex's death.
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 a wide variety of information about what causes it, nor why it develops in some children and not others.
Hannah explains: "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."
There a number of misdiagnosis out there which confuse other illnesses with similar symptoms, such as Kawasaki disease, sepsis, and toxic shock syndrome.
For more information or to sign the family's petition click here.
