A girl under the age of 10 who has no underlying illness in Tochigi Prefecture was infected with the new coronavirus and died on the 29th of last month.
It is said that children are less likely to become seriously ill with the new corona, and according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, only four children under the age of 10 died by the 26th of last month.
According to Tochigi Prefecture, the cause of his death this time was acute encephalopathy.
What is acute encephalopathy?
I asked an expert what to look out for.
Girl under 10 years old with no underlying illness dies of acute encephalopathy
According to Tochigi Prefecture, the girl was infected with the new coronavirus late last month, and although she had symptoms such as fever, she was mildly ill and was treated at home according to the instructions of the health center.
However, after that, her condition suddenly changed and she was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment in the intensive care unit, but she died of "acute encephalopathy" due to the infection on the 29th of last month.
According to Tochigi prefecture, the girl had reached the age of five to be vaccinated against the new coronavirus, but she had never been vaccinated.
What are the symptoms of acute encephalopathy?
What is the symptom of acute encephalopathy?
"There are reports up to elementary school students, so be careful."
Tetsuo Nakayama, a pediatrician who specializes in clinical virology, said, "Acute encephalopathy is not a symptom peculiar to the new coronavirus, but occurs in various infectious diseases. Working immunity mechanism "Natural immunity" works, and it occurs when a substance called "inflammatory cytokine" is excessively released. There are many reports under the age of 5, but for example, encephalopathy caused by influenza has been reported up to elementary school students, so be careful. It is necessary. "
"Disturbance of consciousness" as a characteristic symptom
Professor Nakayama said that "disturbance of consciousness" is a characteristic symptom of encephalopathy. If you feel like you fall asleep again even if you open it, please see a medical institution immediately. If your parents feel that it is "unusual", please see a doctor. In the case of children, the symptoms suddenly worsen. I have some things to do, so please take a closer look at the situation. "
New corona vaccine "expected to soften the reaction"
Regarding the effect of the new corona vaccine on encephalopathy, "Encephalopathy does not allow the virus to enter the brain, so even if the vaccine is given to produce antibodies, it does not directly prevent encephalopathy, but vaccination can cause infection. By lowering the risk and suppressing the growth of the virus, it can be expected that the amount of "inflammatory cytokines" will be reduced and the reaction will be softened. "
Beware of a symptom called "croup"
Furthermore, especially in the case of the Omicron strain, which easily causes inflammation of the upper respiratory tract such as the nose and throat, it is necessary to pay attention not only to encephalopathy but also to a symptom called "croup" that causes inflammation in the back of the throat and near the entrance of the trachea. ..
"Kenkenken" "Woo" Dry cough Urgently to a medical institution
Professor Nakayama said, "When croup occurs, you may not be able to breathe and you may have respiratory problems. Dry coughs such as" Kenkenken ", dry coughs that seem to be painful to see" Woo ", and If you have a cough that makes it difficult to breathe in, I would like you to see a medical institution urgently. "