Derbyshire mum feared she would lose daughter to rare post-Covid illness affecting kids

A 52-year-old mum from Derbyshire has revealed a heartbreaking truth about a rare post-Covid disease that is affecting her daughter.
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Abigail Harris from Bolsover said her 11-year-old school going daughter is suffering from paediatric inflammatory multi-system syndrome (PIMS) - the coronavirus linked syndrome affecting children.

The 52-year-old, who is originally from Sheffield, said she just had the most "horrendous terrifying week of our lives" when she thought they were going to lose her daughter.

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She said they didn't know her daughter previously had Covid but she might have contracted the virus but did not display any symptoms.

A girl looks at a mural by artist Rachel List paying tribute to NHS staff battling the COVID-19 outbreak  (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)A girl looks at a mural by artist Rachel List paying tribute to NHS staff battling the COVID-19 outbreak  (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
A girl looks at a mural by artist Rachel List paying tribute to NHS staff battling the COVID-19 outbreak (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

According to medical reports, the children appear to be suffering from the syndrome, which often presents as a temperature of up to 40C, rashes, abdominal problems or dangerous low blood pressure.

In some more serious cases, the symptoms present are similar to sepsis or toxic shock.

She said: "After complaining of a stomach pain on New Year's Day and vomiting all night, she thought she just had a sickness bug.

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"One sided stomach pain carried on the following two days which we were convinced was a pulled muscle from heaving.

"The following day, she started with severe diarrhoea every 15-30 minutes and she had a blotchy rash on her torso and a high temperature."

She said she was then brought to Chesterfield hospital, but that was when her condition worsened.

"The consultant asked if I had had Covid. I said I had lost my taste and smell at the end of November but had a negative result.

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"She said that's one of the most common symptoms and that I will have had one of the many false negative tests and my daughter will have had it too, hence them suspecting PIMS."

Abigail said her daughter was transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital where she underwent a thorough treatment.

After spending more than a week in the hospital, she was told that her daughter has been put on eight oral steroids daily for the next month at least.

“Please parents - trust your INSTINCTS if you’re child is not well and get them to hospital ASAP. Another day or two delay, then it could have been a very different outcome," she added.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/ or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.