The Frightening Disease call Kawasaki

Kawasaki (KAH'wah-SAH'ke) also called lymph node syndrome is a illness that young children can get normally under the age of five. It can cause symptoms like fever, bloodshot eyes, skin rash, joint problems, heart problems, and swollen lymph nodes. The condition is usually accompanied by a fever that lasts up to 5 days. It also involves inflammation of the blood vessels, your lips, mouth , hands, and feet may become very red.

Kawasaki disease often times begins with a high fever greater than 102, but can be high as 104, and lasting for up to five days, and this type fever is not very responsive to normal doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. This is a very frightening disease, other symptoms can be a bright red tongue with white coating on it, or red bumps on the back of the tongue. Peeling of the skin coming off in sheets around the genital area, hands, and feet. Kawasaki disease occurs most frequently in Japan, this is where the disease was discovered, but it occurs in all ethnicities. Kawasakin disease is a poorly understood illness, and the cause has yet been determined. The most serious effect of this disease is it can cause major heart problems.

Arteries that can be affected include the arteries that suppy blood to the heart's muscle called coronary arteries. Because of the potential for heart injury and cononary aneurysms, special tests are performed to examine the heart. Children are elaluted with an electrocardiogram, and a sound wave test called echocardiogram. Other arteries can become inflammed including the arteries of the lungs, neck, and abdomen. Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. This disease is seen more often in little boys and not often in little girls. Treatment should be started as soon as possible, the longer the wait the worst the conditions can get. A hospital stay for a week or more depending on the condition the disease is in will happen if Kawasaki occur. The treatment works best when it is started early, within days of when the symptoms began. Early treatment can, also reduce the risk of heart complications. Note that this illness can't be prevented, cause it is not yet known what can cause it, but you can help your child by learning the symptoms. Kawasaki disease is nothing to hesitate about, it is not common but death can occur. If it goes untreated, it can lead to very serious complications that will involve the heart. if your child shows any of these symptoms it would be best to call the doctor right away.