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. Click to Translate text before this point Start of
    Translation         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 to 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)