High grade fever (40 degrees Celsius or higher) for over 4 days that's unresponsive to paracetamol and ibuprofen is usually the first sign of kawasaki disease. Most parents are not familiar with this disease because it is very rare. However, without treatment, this is a fatal illness that's a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.
 |
| 21 Facts about Kawasaki Disease |
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan
1. Kawasaki disease is a rare illness that commonly affects children under 5 years of age.
2. Having an Asian descent (specially Japanese and Korean) increases the chance of developing kawasaki disease.
3.The cause of kawasaki disease is unknown.
4. Kawasaki disease is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.
5. Kawasaki disease is not contagious.
6. Kawasaki disease is identified in the year 1967 and is named after the Japanese pediatrician Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki.
7. Kawasaki disease occurs worldwide, but Japan has higher incidence of this disease.
8. Localized outbreaks of kawasaki disease usually occurs in the winter and spring.
9. Males are two times more likely to get this disease.
10. In kawasaki disease, the walls of blood vessels becomes inflammed and weak which can lead to potentially fatal complications such as aneurysm, in which the weakened blood vessel bulges and can potentially rupture.
11. Kawaski disease can involve any type of blood vessels such as arteries, capillaries, and viens.
12. Early signs and symptoms of kawasaki disease includes:
- high fever lasting more than 5 days that is unresponsive to paracetamol and ibuprofen
- redness of the eye
- red, dry, and cracked lips
- shiny red swollen tongue (also called "strawberry tongue")
- irritation of the throat
- swollen lymph nodes, usually at the neck
- rash on the chest, abdomen, limbs, and groin
- red and swollen palms of the hand and soles of the feet
13. After about 2 weeks after the onset of fever, late sign and symptoms develops including:
- peeling of the skin of the hands and feet
- joint pain
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- diarrhea
14. There is no prevention for kawasaki disease.
15. There is no single test to diagnose kawasaki disease. Doctors base their diagnosis on the patient's signs and symptoms.
16. Because of the risk of heart involvement, doctors may prescribe an echocardiogram test.
17. With prompt treatment, full recovery from kawasaki disease is possible and complications are rare.
18. Common medical treatment for kawasaki disease includes aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin (antibodies).
19. Without prompt treatment, kawasaki disease is fatal.
20. Complications of kawasaki disease includes aneurysm, myocarditis, vasculitis, and dysrhythmia.
21. Recurrence of kawasaki disease is rare.
