Kawasaki disease which is also known as Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, was first traced in Japan in the middle of twentieth century. This is a rare disease in which generally young children are affected. This disease is characteristic by puffed up lymph nodes and skin rash. Heart and blood vessels are usually damaged by this disease
This disease is very rare and it has been observed that one in 25000 children in the United Kingdom is affected by this disease. Generally, children below eight years of age are susceptible to Kawasaki disease. This disease is prevalent among Afro-Caribbean and Asian people and boys are more venerable to this disease than the girls. This disease is pretty common among the Korean and Japanese children. Approximately, one in a five children suffers from heart damage due to the attack of this disease.
Causes of Kawasaki Disease
The cause of this disease is still unknown. Some practitioners believe that bacteria or virus infection is the cause of Kawasaki disease but it is much debated. Autoimmune disorder which is galvanized by an infection is thought to be a prominent cause of this disease. Apart from that, some practitioners believe that environmental toxin is the cause of this disease.
Symptoms Kawasaki Disease
The symptoms of Kawasaki disease are diverse and may appear in different phrases. At the initial stage, which generally lasts for one or two weeks, a patient will experience a high fever which can be more than 104° Fahrenheit. This fever can last four to five days. This kind of continuous high fever is a pertinent symptom of Kawasaki disease. Redness in eyes and cracked, dry lips are also prominent symptoms of this disease.
Sore throat and inflamed lymph nodes are also some of the conspicuous signs of this disease. One can experience rash on various parts of his body. Chest, genitals and stomach are some of the places where these rashes generally erupt. Palms and tongue are swollen in this disease. All these symptoms can be experienced in the first phrase of this Kawasaki disease.
In the second phrase of Kawasaki disease which generally starts within fourteen days, a patient experiences abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. At the initial stage of this disease, it is very difficult to distinguish this disease from a common cold. This disease is associated with some complications. Myocarditis i.e. Inflammation of heart muscle, vasculitis i.e. Inflammation of blood vessels and Aneurysms in arteries i.e. clotting of blood in arteries are three complications that can jeopardize a patient’s life.
Kawasaki Disease Treatment
The treatment of Kawasaki disease should start as soon as the disease is detected. Children are given a kind of purified antibodies which is known as gamma globulin and this can assist a child immensely to fight against infection. For slashing down the risk of heart damage, practitioners can apply aspirin. If treatment is started immediately after the ailment is detected a child can be cured faster; however if there is delay in the treatment the disease can be aggravated.
If treatment begins immediately, it will not affect the heart of the patient. But if it is neglected, a patient may have to face some severe complications. Continuous supply of blood through coronary arteries can be disrupted due to this disease. Echocardiogram, Serum albumin, Electrocardiogram, Chest x-ray, Serum transaminase and ESR are some of the tests that can be conducted to generate a better result.
Advice:
A constant high fever which is not coming down even after taking common drugs for example: ibuprofen and acetaminophen implies the fact that this is not an ordinary fever and in that case, one should contact forthwith with a medical professional. As this disease can’t be prevented, one needs take some precautions so that he can recuperate from this disease as soon as possible.
