This COVID-19 super germ reminds me of a hellhound. Let me put it this way: in Greek mythology, the Hydra was a serpent-like monster that had several heads. If you cut off one Hydra head, two more would grow back in its place.

Compare that illustration with the deadly pathogen, and just when you thought the worst might be over, NBC Boston is reporting four children have been sickened by a rare coronavirus-related illness and are being treated at Boston Children's Hospital. Three children at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital are also being treated for the new disease.

We have a posse of children in our family, and health care professionals are asking parents to be aware of this pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome that is apparently a complication of COVID-19. This serious illness strikes young people with common symptoms that include fever, inflammation, and a pronounced rash, according to Dr. Jeffrey Burns, Chief of Critical Care Medicine at Boston's Children Hospital. He said healthcare workers first noticed this ailment in Europe last month. Five children have died from it in New York and close to 100 kids there have been diagnosed with the condition, so far.

Dr. Paul Sax works in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He is reporting that in recent days, they've noticed a rise in this syndrome. In the short term, doctors say the cases are rare, but the concern is going up.

Researchers studying the sickness say it occurs about six weeks after a child has been exposed to COVID-19. After fighting off the virus, a child's immune system is in overdrive and that's when this can cause inflammatory affliction similar to shock or Kawasaki disease.

I've had combatants call my show to air their grievances saying that I was being an alarmist by even reporting this. Aren't some people real jerks?

Be especially careful, rather than taking a risk or making a mistake with your child's health. Err on the side of caution and care.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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