Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A)
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but severe condition in children and adolescents infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Since June 2020, there have been several reports of a similar multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A). CDC published a number of cases that fit the description of MIS-A. This report shows the way the syndrome appears in adults may be more complicated than in children.
Like children, adults who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can develop symptoms of MIS-A days to weeks after getting sick. MIS-A is a condition where problems can occur in different parts of the body like the heart, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or brain.
What to do if you think you are sick with MIS-A
Contact a doctor, nurse, or clinic right away if you are showing symptoms of MIS-A:
- Ongoing fever PLUS more than one of the following:
- Stomach pain
- Bloodshot eyes
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness or lightheadedness (signs of low blood pressure)
- Skin rash
- Vomiting
MIS-A can be very serious, so it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible.
If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
This list does not include all possible symptoms. Please call a medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
What we don’t know about MIS-A
CDC is still learning about MIS-A and how it affects adults, so we do not know why some adults have gotten sick with MIS-A and others have not. We also do not know if adults with certain health conditions are more likely to develop MIS-A. These are among the many questions CDC is working to understand.
What CDC is doing about MIS-A
CDC is working with state, local, and territorial health departments; U.S. and international scientists; healthcare providers; and other partners to learn more about MIS-A. Through these partnerships, we are learning about how to recognize MIS-A in adults, how often it happens, and who is likely to get MIS-A.
All CDC recommendations are based on the best data and science available at the time, and we will update them as we learn more.
How to protect yourself from MIS-A
Based on what we know now about MIS-A, the best way you can protect yourself is by taking everyday actions to protect yourself from getting the virus that causes COVID-19.