Children's health is very important to maintain. Mild symptoms that may affect children should not be ignored, because these symptoms could turn into a more serious illness. For example, if a child has a high fever of up to 104 F making him fussy, and there are red spots on the body and swelling in the neck, it could be that your child has Kawasaki disease.
What is Kawasaki disease?
As quoted by pediatrics.ucsd.edu , Kawasaki is a disease caused by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. This disease was discovered in Japan in 1967 by a pediatrician named Kawasaki. To appreciate his services, this disease was named Kawasaki. Kawasaki disease always attacks children, especially those under the age of five, most of the cases found are in boys.
What are the symptoms of Kawasaki disease?
Symptoms that occur when a child develops Kawasaki disease are fever for several days, rash or red spots, swelling of the hands and feet, red eyes, irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, lips, tongue and throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Short-term effects may not be too serious, but in some cases long-term complications can occur including coronary artery damage.
What causes Kawasaki disease?
Until now, it is not clear what causes Kawasaki disease. Many researchers think it may be due to infection (virus or bacteria). There is a tendency towards hereditary or hereditary factors so that for example it is more often found in Japanese descent. There is currently no evidence that the disease is contagious.
What is the treatment for people with Kawasaki disease?
The best treatment for Kawasaki sufferers is the administration of high doses of gammaglobulin (a human blood protein fraction) given intravenously. This drug is most effective at reducing inflammation and preventing coronary artery damage when given within the first 10 days of illness. Also given high-dose aspirin at the beginning of the acute phase until the fever subsides.
Kawasaki disease can be fatal if treated too late. If not taken seriously, this disease can lead to death. So it's best if your child is showing symptoms of this disease, immediately consult a doctor at the hospital so they can get the right treatment.
This article was written by Prof. Dr. dr. Najib Advani, Sp. A(K), MMed (Paed) (Cardiologist Pediatrician and also a Specialist in the Management of Kawasaki Disease at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).