Kawasaki disease is an uncommon condition that affects children. Generally, it involves inflammation of the blood vessels and affects the arteries. The condition can result to lasting effects on the heart.
Most children who are affected are below 5 years of age. The inflammation arises in the arterial walls all over the body including the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
What are the indications?
It is important to note that the symptoms manifest in 3 phases.
Acute phase
The signs arise from day 1-11 which emerge abruptly and generally intense such as:
- Fever that lasts for at least 5 days and can reach up to 104 degrees F.
- Sore throat
- Conjunctivitis
- Swollen, dry and chapped lips
- Enlarged lymph glands and lumpiness on the neck
- Reddened, swollen tongue often with miniature lumps at the back (strawberry tongue)
- Rashes on the legs, arms, torso and between the genital and anus
Fever that lasts for at least 5 days and can reach up to 104 degrees F. - Secondary rash on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands accompanied by peeling skin
Sub-acute phase
The signs manifest from days 12-21 which are less severe but might last longer. The temperature must return to normal. Some of the symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Peeling of the skin on the fingers and toes
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Jaundice
- Joint pain and swelling
- Diminished appetite
Remember that complications might arise during this stage and the child might experience more discomfort and can be moody.
Convalescent phase
This phase lasts from days 22-60 where the signs improve, and the individual steadily recovers until all symptoms are gone.
An issue of concern is that Kawasaki disease can affect the vessels around the heart thus the individual must undergo assessment with an echocardiogram.
Management of Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease is generally managed in a healthcare facility due to the risk for complications. Immediate treatment helps improve the chances of faster recovery and lessen the risk for complications.
- Aspirin – this drug helps avert blood clots and lessens the fever, rashes and joint swelling. In most cases, a high dosage is needed. Therapy might be continued for a number of weeks after recuperating from the symptoms.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin – this works by lowering the risk for coronary aneurysms
- Corticosteroids and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors – these drugs are required if other therapies fail to work.
Additionally, the individual must increase the intake of fluids to avoid dehydration.