What is Kawasaki Disease? Kawasaki Disease Symptoms

Kawasaki disease, which causes swelling, called inflammation, in the walls of small to medium-sized blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body, most commonly affects the heart arteries in children. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Kawasaki disease is sometimes called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. This is because it also causes swelling of the glands called lymph nodes and the mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose, eyes and throat. Children who become ill may have a high fever, swollen hands and feet with peeling skin, and red eyes and tongue. However, Kawasaki disease is usually treatable. With early treatment, most children recover and do not have long-term problems.

What is Kawasaki Disease?

What is Kawasaki disease? The question can be answered as “a heart disease that develops suddenly”. This disorder causes the immune system to attack inflamed and swollen blood vessels. Kawasaki disease tends to affect the coronary arteries, which carry blood to the heart muscle.

Other names for Kawasaki disease are Kawasaki syndrome and mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. Kawasaki disease, a disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels, almost always occurs in young children. It is one of the leading causes of heart disease in children. However, doctors can treat it if they diagnose it early. Most children recover without any problems. Kawasaki disease has three stages. It is as follows:

Stage 1 (Acute)

• Fever (8°C to 40.0°C) lasting five days or longer
• Rash around the trunk or groin.
• Pink eye.
• Red tongue and lips.
• Red skin on hands and feet (palms and soles).
• Swelling in lymph nodes.

Stage 2 (Subacute)

• The fire starts when it falls.
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Joint and abdominal pain.
• Skin peeling on hands and feet.

Stage 3 (Recovery)

• The symptoms gradually disappear. However, complications may persist.

What are the symptoms of Kawasaki Disease?

Kawasaki disease occurs rapidly and symptoms appear in stages. Kawasaki disease symptoms In the first stage, the following may be seen:

• High fever lasting more than 5 days; Even if the child takes medicines that are good for fever, the fever usually does not go down.
• The rash usually occurs between the chest and legs and in the genital or groin area.
• Peeling skin on fingers and toes (usually in the second or third week of illness)
• Swelling and redness on the hands and soles of the feet
• red eyes
• Swollen glands, especially in the neck
• Irritated throat, mouth and lips
• Swollen, bright red “strawberry tongue”

In the second stage, the following symptoms are observed:

• joint pain
• belly pain
• Stomach problems such as diarrhea and vomiting
• Skin peeling on hands and feet

Kawasaki disease can cause heart problems 10 days to 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms.

In the third stage, symptoms tend to disappear gradually. It may take up to 8 weeks.

You can call your doctor if your child has these symptoms, including a fever between 38.8°C and 40.0°C that lasts longer than 4 days. Early treatment can help reduce the risk of permanent effects.

If your child has Kawasaki disease, you will probably notice a rash on his genital area or the area between his chest and legs. It is likely to disappear within a week. It is usually flat and spotted, but there may also be raised bumps. While the rash may appear red on light skin, it may be harder to see on darker skin tones.

What Causes Kawasaki Disease?

Although more cases are seen in late winter and early spring Causes of Kawasaki disease is not known exactly. Researchers are investigating possible causes, such as infections, environmental factors or genetics.

How is Kawasaki Disease Diagnosed?

There is no additional test. Kawasaki diagnosisIt involves ruling out other diseases that cause the same symptoms. These diseases are:

• Red
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Stevens-Johnson Hospital
• toxic shock syndrome
• Measles

Your pediatrician will perform an exam and order blood and urine tests to help with diagnosis. Tests may include:

• Blood tests: Blood tests help rule out other diseases and check blood cell counts. High white blood cell count, anemia, and inflammation are symptoms of Kawasaki disease.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This rapid test checks the electrical activity of the heart. It shows how the heart beats. Adhesive patches called electrodes are attached to the chest and sometimes the arms or legs. Cables connect patches to a computer. The computer prints or displays the results. An ECG can diagnose irregular heartbeat. Kawasaki disease can cause heart rhythm problems.
• Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart in motion. He sees how blood flows through the heart and heart valves. An echocardiogram shows how well your heart is working. It can also help see problems in the heart arteries.

How is Kawasaki Disease Treated?

It is best to start treatment for Kawasaki disease as early as possible, while the child still has a fever. Treatment of Kawasaki disease usually takes place in the hospital. The goals of treatment are to reduce fever, reduce swelling, and prevent heart damage. The following methods can be applied for the treatment of Kawasaki:

• The first stage is drug treatment.
• After the initial treatment, the child may begin to recover after some time. Without treatment, Kawasaki disease lasts about 12 days. However, heart problems may last longer.
• The physician monitors heart problems.
• If your child has any signs of heart problems, the doctor may recommend follow-up tests to check your child’s heart health.

Tests are usually done 6 to 8 weeks after the disease begins and then again six months later.

If heart problems persist, your child may be sent to a pediatric cardiologist, a specialist who treats heart disease in children. Treatment of heart problems associated with Kawasaki disease depends on the type of heart disease.