Description
Kawasaki disease (KD), or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an illness that primarily affects children and causes inflammation in arteries, veins, and capillaries. It also affects the lymph nodes and causes symptoms in the nose, mouth, and throat and is the most common cause of heart disease in children. KD begins with a high fever (>102 degrees F) for at least five days, along with other signs and symptoms such as a rash all over the body but often more severe in the diaper area. Red, bloodshot eyes without any pus, drainage, or crusting may also be present. Tender, swollen gland (lymph node) on one side of the neck can also be a feature.
Symptoms
Kawasaki disease signs and symptoms usually appear in three phases.
1st phase:
- A fever that is often higher than 102.2 F (39 C) and lasts more than three days
- Extremely red eyes without a thick discharge
- A rash on the main part of the body and in the genital area
- Red, dry, cracked lips and an extremely red, swollen tongue
- Swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and perhaps elsewhere
- Irritability
2nd phase:
- Peeling of the skin on the hands and feet, especially the tips of the fingers and toes, often in large sheets
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
3rd phase:
- Signs and symptoms slowly go away unless complications develop
- It may be as long as eight weeks before energy levels seem normal again