General Information About Kawasaki Disease
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a condition, especially in young children, where the immune system overreacts for an unknown reason, causing inflammation (vasculitis) in the walls of blood vessels throughout the body.
The most feared complication of the disease is its inflammation of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. This inflammation weakens the vessel walls and can lead to ballooning (coronary aneurysm), setting the stage for a heart attack at an early age.
High fever lasting longer than 5 days and resistant to medication, redness without discharge in the eyes, cracking of the lips, a bumpy and red tongue (strawberry tongue), swelling/peeling of hands/feet, and enlargement of neck lymph nodes.
No. Even though its symptoms resemble an infectious disease, Kawasaki disease is not transmitted from person to person.
There is no specific blood or laboratory test for the disease. The physician makes the diagnosis by combining fever lasting longer than 5 days with typical clinical findings (eye redness, strawberry tongue, rash). Echocardiography (ECHO) is definitively performed to check for heart involvement.
To reduce the risk of vascular damage, a high dose of Immunoglobulin (IVIG) serum is given intravenously in the hospital as soon as it is diagnosed. Additionally, long-term Aspirin therapy is applied under a doctor's supervision to prevent clotting and inflammation.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
