Katharina Buczek
“There is a really complicated interplay of the immune system and the bacteria that actually live in those respiratory spaces,” Dr. Olivero began.
“So, viral infections come first, and then the bacterial infections can result from that initial viral infection. Most of these more invasive brain infections that we see actually originate from the sinuses,” she continued.
Nonetheless, it is hard to know if there is a definitive link between COVID-19 and the infection surge.
Dr. Olivero also considered that a lack of routine check-ups and vaccinations among children could have been a contributing factor.
Additionally, the CDC has since reported that the findings in the report are subject to three limitations: the results are not representative of the entire nation, the survey response rate was low and response bias may have impacted findings, and only limited data were collected.
Even after taking the limitations into consideration, though, Dr. Olivero is still advocating for parents to be aware of the signs of brain infections among children– which generally result in persistent headaches and behavioral changes.
“Headaches in children are common, but a really persistent, new, and different type of headache should really alert parents and caregivers that there could be something else going on. [And] certainly abnormal behaviors and high fevers without explanation,” Dr. Olivero explained.
In the meantime, she and the CDC are continuing to investigate the potential link between COVID-19 and bacterial brain infections in children in hopes of finding a concrete explanation.
To read the study’s complete findings, visit the link here.
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