20-year-old develops rare condition
A 20-year-old Boulder County resident appeared to have fully recovered from the coronavirus. Three weeks later, the resident developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome is a newly identified condition that primarily occurs in children and has symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease, a news release from Boulder County Public Health states.
In Boulder County, there have been 4,998 coronavirus cases in Boulder County, reported as of Friday. Of those, there have been 2,873 positive or probable cases between residents age 18 to 28, Public Health spokeswoman Chana Goussetis said Friday.
The University of Colorado Boulder’s coronavirus dashboard shows since Aug. 24, 1,114 oncampus tests have returned positive as of Friday. Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment has determined a coronavirus outbreak at CU Boulder, and data updated Wednesday shows 16 staff members and 1,527 students have tested positive for the virus, and 168 students are considered probable.
To date, there have been 227 hospitalizations in Boulder County. There have been 84 deaths — 61 of which are tied to long-term care facilities, county data shows.
Within the 18- to 28-year-old age range, 15 individuals have been hospitalized and none have died, Goussetis said.
Still, infectious disease Dr. Heather Pujet said she hopes residents understand the virus can
have serious complications for young people.
“This should serve as a warning for the younger people in the community to please not disregard their own personal risks with COVID-19,” Pujet stated in the release. “The patient became extremely ill very quickly with multiorgan system involvement. They fortunately recovered after a period of severe illness.”
The 20-year-old resident had mild symptoms of the coronavirus. They later developed severe abdominal pain, and had watery diarrhea and a fever, the release states. The individual was hospitalized and required intensive care.
Conditions improved, and the resident was eventually discharged from the hospital, the release states.
Health officials say the best way to prevent multisystem inflammatory syndrome is the same as protecting against COVID-19.
“The same simple tools we use to fight COVID-19 — wearing a mask, keeping our distance, limiting gatherings and staying home when we’re sick — can help keep your family safe from this terrible condition,” Boulder County Public Health Executive Director Jeff Zayach stated in the release.
Multisystem inflammatory disease can cause different body parts to become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes or gastrointestinal organs, the release states. Common symptoms include fever, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, red eyes, red lips, trouble breathing and seeming confused or sleepy.
“Much remains unknown about how (multisystem inflammatory syndrome) develops, but it’s related to the body’s attempts to fight an invader,” pediatric infectious disease specialist Sam Dominguez stated in the release. “It’s very important for parents to promptly seek medical care if they notice any of these symptoms.”
Anyone experiencing symptoms of either the coronavirus or multisystem inflammatory syndrome is advised to contact their health care provider for guidance on testing and treatment.