By Sharon Bernstein

(Reuters] – Tiffany Jackson was shocked when her two-yearold daughter began feeling sick last week. She didn’t think COVID-19 might be the cause.

The family members were all healthy. Adrian James only had a slight cough. He was given cough medicine and a humidifier.

He was already sweaty by Friday and had a labored breathing. Jackson took Jackson to Mt. Vernon, Illinois. There were doctors and nurses who performed a chest Xray, swabbed him and diagnosed COVID. The child was then flown to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital about 80 miles from St. Louis.

Jackson was accompanied by her grandmother, who drove the car. In about one hour, they completed the 90-minute journey.

“I didn’t know if he was going to make it or not,” Jackson said. “It was very difficult for me to express my emotions and I felt very angry.”

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, her boy is among nearly 840,000 children who have contracted COVID-19 since he was four years old. Young children have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In fact, the United States is suffering from a flood of COVID-19 cases, which has been confirmed by Adrian.

He was still intubated on Tuesday night and had taken a strong anti-emetic medication.

His lungs are able to perform more work over the last few days and it’s possible that he will be taken off the ventilator in the near future.

Last week the United States reached 700,000. COVID deaths were recorded. Concerns are growing about the rising number of children infected.

According to CDC data, transmission of the virus is still high in all 50 states except California.

“IT IS SERIOUS”

Adrian will turn three next month. He had contracted pneumonia from his left lung. Jackson explained that Adrian was breathing quickly and was trying to take in air with nearly twice as many respirations per minute than the 40 normal.

The hospital staff used masks, shields, and protective gowns to sedate him.

Jackson was found sleeping on a couch inside his ICU bedroom.

Jackson isn’t sure how Jackson’s son contracted the virus. Last summer, she was the first to get COVID.

Jackson has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 since she is afflicted by a rare autoimmune disorder, Guillain Barre syndrome. This condition was contracted after she received a flu shot at the age of 16. This incurable condition causes nerve system damage.

Adrian’s father was at home in Illinois with their youngest child. He received the first dose of COVID, but not the second, she stated. He may have been given it by someone in the workplace, but everyone at his place of work is expected to wear masks.

Jackson (21 years old) is deeply grateful for all the help he has received. Jackson is now beginning to believe it can save his life.

She hopes Adrian’s story can help others understand the implications of passing the virus on to children, and people with weak immune systems.

She said, “I want people to understand it’s serious.”