Kawasaki disease is a severe disease affecting the heart. It is not contagious but happens in clusters in communities and mainly affects kids. Symptoms include a high fever that doesn’t go away despite medication. It can cause heart trouble and is not treatable by fever medications. The first two phases usually go away on their own after a couple of days, but the third stage may take up to 8 weeks. However, early diagnosis is crucial to reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Symptoms
Although Kawasaki disease is not contagious, it can be a severe illness. It is most common in children, especially in the spring and winter. Symptoms include high fever, which will not disappear despite taking fever-reducing medication. In addition, the throat and mouth will be inflamed, and the tongue may have lumps or swollen lymph glands. The fever may last several days or weeks; you should see your doctor to rule out other underlying causes.
If you suspect your child has Kawasaki disease, you must see a physician immediately. A physician will perform several tests on your child to detect the cause of the fever. The physician may request blood and urine samples. If white blood cells are elevated, it may indicate Kawasaki disease. Other tests may include an electrocardiogram or an echocardiogram. The symptoms of Kawasaki disease are similar to those of an infection or a virus. You should have your child treated within the first ten days of symptoms.
A pediatric cardiologist should monitor children who have been diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. This cardiologist will perform a physical exam and review the child’s medical history. In addition, the child may have an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram, which are ultrasounds of the heart. A treatment plan will be created based on the results of these tests and your child’s symptoms.
Causes
Kawasaki disease is an infection that affects all blood vessels in the body. It usually causes high fever and redness of the face, hands, feet, and tongue and can lead to severe complications. The infection can lead to coronary artery disease and is potentially life-threatening. It typically affects infants from Asian countries, especially those born in Japan or Korea.
The most common symptoms of Kawasaki disease in children are mild and can go unnoticed for weeks. However, if you suspect your child has the condition, visit your child’s doctor. They will be able to tell you more about the symptoms and give you the proper treatment. In most cases, the symptoms will subside in a few weeks, but in some cases, it may take a little longer.
No specific virus causes Kawasaki disease, but it may be triggered by genetics. In addition, it’s possible that your child already has another illness that has similar symptoms. In such cases, your child’s doctor will perform blood tests to rule out other illnesses. These tests include white blood cell counts, iron levels, and inflammation. An electrocardiogram may also be ordered to check for abnormal heart function.
Treatment
The best Kawasaki disease treatment involves a comprehensive approach to your child’s health. The first step is to have your child get a physical exam and an entire history. Your child may undergo echocardiograms and other tests to monitor the heart’s pumping action. These tests will reveal whether your child is suffering from an aneurysm. A cardiology team will develop a treatment plan based on your child’s symptoms and lab tests.
Kawasaki disease treatment aims to relieve the symptoms and reduce the risk of coronary artery involvement. If left untreated, the condition can lead to severe heart damage. The most common complication is aneurysms of the coronary arteries. Fortunately, treatments available can reduce the risk of developing this complication to less than five per cent.
Treatment options for Kawasaki disease will depend on the child’s symptoms and age. In severe cases, a doctor may recommend a stay in the hospital for a day or two. If the fever persists, the child may need to take aspirin. If aspirin doesn’t work, IVIG may be recommended.
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing Kawasaki disease is to have your child undergo a physical exam and history. A cardiologist will then perform an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and noninvasive heart ultrasound. Based on these tests and the child’s symptoms, a course of treatment will be recommended.
A complete blood count is a test that measures the number of different types of blood cells in a specified volume of blood. Your healthcare provider will look for elevations in white blood cells, which multiply when the infection occurs. They may also see elevated platelet levels. This can also indicate the presence of the disease.
The etiology of Kawasaki disease is not entirely clear. Several studies have been conducted in recent years to determine its etiology. Taubert KA and Newburger JW both studied Kawasaki syndrome and acute rheumatic fever.
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