What is Kawasaki disease?
Kawasaki disease is a rare childhood illness that affects the blood vessels. The symptoms can be severe for several days. But with treatment, most children return to normal activities.
Kawasaki disease can harm the coronary arteries, which carry blood to the heart muscle. Most children who are treated recover from the disease without long-term problems. Your doctor will watch your child for heart problems for a few weeks to a few months after treatment.
The disease is most common in children younger than age 5. It does not spread from child to child (is not contagious).
What are the symptoms of Kawasaki disease?
Symptoms of Kawasaki disease include:
- A fever lasting at least 5 days.
- Red eyes.
- A body rash.
- Swollen, red, cracked lips and tongue.
- Swollen, red feet and hands.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
How is Kawasaki disease diagnosed?
Kawasaki disease can be hard to diagnose, because there is not a test for it. Your doctor may diagnose Kawasaki disease if both of these things are true:
- Your child has a fever that lasts at least 5 days.
- Your child has a few of the other five symptoms of Kawasaki disease.
Your child may also have routine lab tests. And the doctor may order an echocardiogram to check for heart problems.
After your child gets better, he or she will need checkups to watch for heart problems.
How is Kawasaki disease treated?
Treatment for Kawasaki disease starts in the hospital. It may include:
- Immunoglobulin (IVIG) medicine. This is given through a vein (intravenous, or I.V.). It can reduce inflammation and help prevent problems with the heart arteries.
- Aspirin to help pain and fever and to lower the risk of blood clots. Aspirin therapy is often continued at home.
- Corticosteroid medicine. This may be given to reduce fever and reduce problems with the heart arteries.
Your child may be tired and fussy, and your child's skin may be dry for a month or so. Try not to let your child get overly tired. And use skin lotion to help keep the fingers and toes moist.
If the disease causes heart problems, your child may need more treatment and follow-up tests.
How can you care for your child who has Kawasaki disease?
- Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with a medicine.
- Have your child rest when your child feels tired.
- If aspirin causes an upset stomach, give it with crackers, bread, or another bland food.
- Keep your child from rough play, especially if your child is taking aspirin. The aspirin can cause the skin to bruise easily.
- Keep your child away from anyone who has influenza or chickenpox. These diseases increase the risk of Reye syndrome.
- Use an unscented skin lotion to help keep skin moist. Your child's skin may be dry for a month or so.
- Call your doctor if your child has a fever.
- Go to all doctor visits so that the doctor can check your child for problems. This is important to prevent heart problems.
Kawasaki disease in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has chest pain or problems breathing.
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child is exposed to a person with chickenpox, shingles, or influenza. Call your doctor right away. Your child is at greater risk of Reye syndrome when exposed to these conditions, so your child's doctor may need to change the medicines your child takes.
- Your child has a fever.
- Your child has severe belly pain or blood in the stool. This can be a sign of bleeding inside the body.
- Your child has ringing in the ears, a headache, dizziness, or confusion. These may be caused by aspirin toxicity.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child does not get better as expected.
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