Kawasaki Disease | Medtick
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Kawasaki Disease

What is it?

A fever related bacterial/viral disease that causes inflammation (hot, red and swelling) of small and medium sized arteries especially the arteries around the heart, this can lead to these blood vessels to burst (anuresym) which is a medical emergency.

  • It is normally cures itself and takes 4-8 weeks however there is a small risk of a heart attack (2%) and  could get blood vessel damage (15-20%).
  • It tends to affect Asian (Taiwan, and Korea) and Japanese descendants no matter where they are in the world and tends to affect children under the age of 10 years old and rarely in  under four months  and/or children over 14 years old.
  • It can affect other children of other countries and nationalities but it is rare.
  • It is also known as “mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.”

Diagnosis tests

  • Clinical examination
  • Complete blood count – May show high white blood cells, anaemia, and increased platelets (especially after the first week).
  • C-reactive protein (CRP) and ESR
  • Echocardiogram (ECHO) – coronary arteries for aneurysms or dilation and checks heart function and conduction (patterns of heart beating/rythm)
  • Liver function tests (LFTs)
  • Albumin level – may show low levels
  • Urinalysis – show high levels of white blood cells
  • Troponin and BNP/NT-proBNP tests – heart inflammation
  • Chest X-ray

Cause

  • Infection related (though no particular pathogen identified)
    • Bacteria:
      • Streptococcus pyogenes
      • Neisseria meningitidis
      • Bacterial toxin–mediated superantigens
      • Mycoplasma pneumoniae
      • Klebsiella pneumoniae
      • Propionibacterium acnes
      • Mite-associated bacteria
    • Virus:
      • Adenovirus
      • Cytomegalovirus
      • Parainfluenza type 3 virus
      • Parvovirus B19
      • Rotavirus
      • Measles
      • Epstein-Barr virus
      • Human lymphotropic virus
      • Rickettsia
    • Tick-borne diseases
  • Family history

Symptoms

From day one to day sixty:

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than one or two weeks (not helped by antibiotics)?
  • Night sweats?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • Rapid heartbeat, swollen ankles and/or fingers?
  • Swollen fingers and toes (Osler nodes)?
  • Bleeding into skin on palms and sole of feet (Janeway lesions)?
  • Joint pain and stiffness?
  • Irritated, depressed, anxiety and/or panic attacks?
  • Dry red, cracked lips and/or redness of the inside and around mouth which may bleed?
  • Rash in groin area, trunk, arms and legs (five days after fever symptoms)?
  • ‘Strawberry tongue’ and/or red and/or spotty tongue?
  • Severe red eyes with no sticky discharge?
  • Lumps on side of neck (armpits, and groin) equal to bigger than 1.5cm in diameter and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
  • Swollen red hands and/or feet to the point one can’t walk?
  • Peeling of toe and fingertips skin?

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

  • Heart attack
  • Shock:
    • Rapid heart rate (rapid pulse)
    • Rapid breathing
    • Dilated pupils
    • Pale, cool skin
    • Sweating (diaphoresis)
    • Yawning
  • If shock occurs (whilst awaiting for an ambulance):
    • Lay the person down (if their injuries allow it) and raise and support their legs
    • Use a coat or blanket to keep them warm, but do not cover their face or the burnt area
    • Do not give them anything to eat or drink

    • How to Treat Shock

  • Aneurysms
  • Gangrene (black skin)
  • Extreme irritability
  • Meningitis
  • Bells palsy/Facial nerve palsy
  • Hearing loss
  • Macrophage activation syndrome

This condition can lead to:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Kawasaki Disease in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • Medical News Today

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  • NHS

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

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  • Mayo Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

    NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.

  • Verywell Health

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  • Nathnac

    Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.

  • DR Axe

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  • Better health - NHS

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    There has never been a better time to kickstart your health. Let’s do this!

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