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Key Points
- Kawasaki disease is a rare childhood disease. In
Kawasaki disease, the walls of the blood vessels throughout the body become
inflamed. This disease can affect any type of blood vessel in the body,
including the arteries, veins, and capillaries.
- The cause of Kawasaki disease isn't known. The
body's response to a virus or infection combined with genetic factors may cause
the disease. However, no specific virus or infection has been found, and the
role of genetics isn't known.
- Kawasaki disease can't be passed from one child
to another.
- Kawasaki disease affects children of all races
and ages and both genders. It occurs most often in children of Asian and
Pacific Island descent. It's more likely to affect males, and most cases occur
in children younger than 5 years.
- One of the main symptoms during the early part
(acute phase) of Kawasaki disease is fever. The fever lasts longer than 5 days.
It remains high even after treatment with standard childhood fever medicines.
- Other classic signs and symptoms are swollen
lymph nodes in the neck; a rash on the mid-section and genital area; red, dry,
cracked lips and a red, swollen tongue; red, swollen palms of the hands and
soles of the feet; and redness of the eyes.
- During the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, your
child also may be irritable and have a sore throat, joint pain, diarrhea,
vomiting, and stomach pain. Within 2 to 3 weeks of the start of symptoms, the
skin on your child's fingers and toes may peel, sometimes in large sheets.
- Kawasaki disease is diagnosed based on your
child's signs and symptoms and the results from diagnostic tests and
procedures. Generally, your child will be diagnosed with Kawasaki disease if he
or she has a fever lasting longer than 5 days and four other classic signs of
the disease. Because not all children have classic signs of the disease,
diagnostic tests and procedures can help confirm a diagnosis.
- Kawasaki disease is mainly treated with
medicines. Rarely, medical procedures and surgery also may be used for children
whose coronary arteries are affected.
- Kawasaki disease can't be prevented. However,
most children who develop the disease fully recoverusually within weeks
of getting signs and symptoms. Further problems are rare.
- If Kawasaki disease has affected your child's
coronary arteries, he or she will need ongoing treatment.
- Researchers continue to look for the cause of
Kawasaki disease and better ways to diagnose and treat it. They also hope to
learn more about long-term health risks, if any, for people who have the
disease.
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