Myocarditis Hits An Alabama Town

Myocarditis, a potentially silent killer that attacks the heart, has sent chills through an east Alabama town. In the past several months, myocarditis has changed several families’ lives, forever. Myocarditis is difficult to diagnose, because it disguises itself as many different diseases, but is an inflammation of the thick muscular layer making up the major portion of the heart. As several families in Alabama know all too well, the disease can affect children and result in death.

Over the past few months in the Opelika, Alabama area, two little girls have died suddenly of myocarditis and another little girl, not yet confirmed, has also been a victim of the silent killer. Kate Langford was a beautiful, vibrant, otherwise healthy, seven-year-old Auburn Tigers fan and the first victim of the disease in September. Though Kate had not been feeling well and was taking medication for an ear infection, it was thought she may have a virus and would be feeling better soon. After a night spent vomiting, Kate awoke the next morning with cold extremities and her mom decided to take her back to the doctor. By the time Kate arrived at the hospital she was unresponsive and the medical staff was unable to revive her. The autopsy showed that she died of myocarditis. Doctors aren’t sure what lead to her condition, but it could have been a result of the infection she was suffering from possibly working its way into her blood stream and attacking her heart muscle. From research and talking with medical staff, it seems this process can occur very quickly and is not commonly the suspect.

Within two months of Kate’s death, the Opelika area lost another young life. Kaylee Marie Allison, ten years old, also died from myocarditis on August 5th. Then Brianea Janea Thomas, seven years old, died on November 11th, also thought to have succumbed from myocarditis, but which is still under investigation. The deaths have caused major concerns in parents, school, and medical staffs, as well as the community. Everyone wants to know if there is a strain of virus spreading through the area that is attacking the children’s heart muscles. Even though first investigations show no connections between the girls, the CDC has been called in to investigate and determine if the cases were linked.

Myocarditis can exude symptoms of fatigue, breathing difficulties, and rapid heartbeats which may result in sudden death from fatal arrhythmia. Not always are its victims old enough to realize the symptoms or able to relay their symptoms to someone that does. Myocarditis can be caused from a wide range of diseases, including viral and bacterial infections, immune system disorders, and production of myocardial toxins within the body, in addition to chemical or radiation exposure. An infection can work its way through the blood stream and eventually attack the heart. Unfortunately, many times because of its symptoms being disguised as much more common diseases, myocarditis is overlooked or misdiagnosed. Early detection in most situations is the only way to ward off potential death. Tests that look at the heart could help with early detection, but are not typically conducted with the symptoms this disease may display, especially in children. With the symptoms of myocarditis, doctors usually treat the infection that has caused or leads to myocarditis, not realizing the infection has worked its way into the blood stream and attacked the heart. There are treatments that help the heart muscles and treat myocarditis, but the key to preventing death from this disease is early diagnosis which seems to be very difficult if a doctor doesn’t suspect a heart problem.

Scientist and doctors continue to research better ways to diagnose infections that may lead to myocarditis, which will hopefully help doctors take preventive measures. Myocarditis is still somewhat of a mystery. Hopefully, the CDC investigation into the deaths in Alabama may shed some light on specific causes and ways to prevent future deaths. Parents may want to talk with their children’s pediatrician about myocarditis and its signs or symptoms.