About MIS

At a glance

  • Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) can affect children (MIS-C) and adults (MIS-A).
  • MIS is a rare but serious condition associated with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in which different body parts become inflamed.

More Information

For Everyone Health Care Providers
Young patient and caregiver holding hands in a hospital setting

What it is

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) is a rare but serious condition associated with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in which different internal and external body parts become inflamed, including the

  • heart
  • lungs
  • kidneys
  • brain
  • skin
  • eyes
  • gastrointestinal tract

MIS can affect children (MIS-C) and adults (MIS-A). MIS-A is less common than MIS-C. Children with MIS-C appear to recover quickly from heart-related complications.

Risk factors

  • The main risk factor for developing MIS is being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, typically within the previous 2-6 weeks.
  • Many children with MIS-C have had no or few symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Most children with MIS-C do not have any reported underlying medical conditions.
  • Of the children with MIS-C who do report an underlying medical condition, obesity is the most common.

Prevention

Based on what we know now, the best way to prevent MIS-C or MIS-A is to take actions to protect yourself from getting COVID-19, including COVID-19 vaccination for people 6 months and older.

Quick facts

  • Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, trends in MIS cases generally followed trends in reported daily COVID-19 cases over time. Peaks in MIS cases generally follow peaks in COVID-19 cases by about a month.
  • MIS-C has become less prevalent since the start of the pandemic: the number of MIS-C cases reported decreased from 2020 to 2023. We do not know how that trend may change in the future and CDC continues to monitor reported cases of MIS-C.
  • MIS-C incidence tends to be higher among younger children compared with older adolescents, but cases have been reported across all age groups.

What CDC is doing

  • CDC is still learning the underlying reasons why some children and adults get MIS after SARS-CoV-2 infection and others do not.
  • CDC is working with state, local, and territorial health departments; U.S. and international scientists; healthcare providers; and other partners to continue to monitor and learn more about MIS.
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Content Source:
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division (CORVD)