Mysterious illness possibly linked to COVID-19 unlikely to affect many children, Lurie Children's pediatrician says

ByABC 7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Unlikely mysterious illness possibly linked to COVID-19 will affect many children, Lurie Children's pediatrician says
A Lurie Children's Hospital pediatrician said it's unlikely the mysterious illness possibly linked to COVID-19 will affect many children.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An alert is expected to go out to doctors Thursday, regarding a mysterious illness that's affecting children who have previously had COVID-19.

There are confirmed cases in Illinois.

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Dr. Craig Garfield, a pediatrician from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, joined ABC 7 Chicago remotely to talk about the illness.

"I think we're very early in; in no way, I think, is this going to affect many, many children," he said.

RELATED: Illinois coronavirus: Suburban boy, 6, battles mysterious illness possibly linked to COVID-19

Sara Garcia's 6-year-old son is hospitalized for a mysterious illness that mimics symptoms of Kawasaki's Disease and appears to be linked to COVID-19.

Parents should monitor their children for fever, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea, but they should also be reaching out to their pediatricians and continuing any other medical care their children might need.

"We're ready to take care of your children," Garfield said.