New research in China on the coronavirus shows that the virus could possibly live in semen even after men have started to recover. Now, it leaves many wondering if the virus could be transmitted sexually.
Also, there is a new syndrome that some children are now showing after having the virus or being around someone who has it.
Dr. William Baker of Centric Health is giving further insight into the potential concerns that many of his colleagues across the world are discussing regarding the virus.
Chinese researchers of Shangqiu Municipal Hospital have found evidence that the virus could live in the semen of covid survivors.
"Six patients had the COVID-19 virus in semen without having any underlying disease of the genital urinary system, this was a new and interesting finding," Baker said.
"There was actually COVID-19 in the semen and was capable of transmitting the disease."
Baker shares this raises the question if COVID-19 one day could be considered a sexually transmitted disease.
"Yes this may be recognized as a sexually transmitted disease in people that have recovered from the virus, clinically they feel fine and yet have viable COVID-19 in their semen," said Baker.
"Set this with sexual activity and it may be transmitted to someone else. With abstinence and condoms, that could be prevented if we knew this to be the case, but we don’t know that yet."
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a health advisory on May 14alerting healthcare providers about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children or MIS-C.
The CDC defines the condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, brain, and other organs.
Many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19 or had been around someone with COVID-19.
"I understand that one child has died from it and the kids who get sick are treated with IV fluids and some of them have needed respiratory support from ventilators," Baker said. "It's acute inflammatory response and children do respond to anti-inflammatory drugs as we use for other conditions."
Dr. Baker says there are particular symptoms that parents need to look out for that may mask themselves as other illnesses.
"Kids are a little difficult to diagnose, but [the symptoms are] fever, a skin rash, and red eyes," said Baker. "Children may complain of abdominal pain and they may appear confused or lethargic."
According to the Kern County Public Health Department's COVID-19 tracker, there are a total of 156 cases of individuals between the ages of zero to 17 who have tested positive for COVID-19.
There is no indication on the tracker regarding MIS-C in children in our area.
The syndrome had been reported in some teenagers, but mostly in younger children.
"I have not heard of any children reported with it in our community, but to my understanding, there are only 100 cases it is a rare syndrome," Baker said. "As you mentioned earlier we should reassure parents this is a serious but rare syndrome."
