This disease, which affects the walls of the blood vessels, the heart, the lymph nodes, the skin, and the mouth, was discovered in Japan and occurred in children under five years of age and with Korean or Japanese origins. However, it is not ruled out that it can occur in children of other ethnic groups. If Kawasaki syndrome is treated in time, the recovery will be fast, but it can bring serious health complications. At FastlyHealwe, explain Kawasaki syndrome’s causes, symptoms, and treatment.
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Causes of Kawasaki syndrome
The causes of this syndrome, like many that have their origin in the immune system, is a mystery and can present as any viral or bacterial disease. There is no test to diagnose this condition, so that doctors will rule out conditions based on the symptoms. In detecting Kawasaki syndrome, the main thing will be to perform an echocardiogram and a blood and urine test.
Symptoms of Kawasaki syndrome
It is not a disease that can be prevented and almost always begins with a constant fever of 39ºC, which generally reaches 40ºC and persists for five days. This is the main symptom of Kawasaki syndrome, then develop in phases:
In the first phase, the following may appear:
- Redness of the eyes
- Red and chapped lips
- Swollen hands and feet
- Joint pain
- Swollen tongue with bumps
- Peeling of the skin in the genital area
The second phase occurs two weeks later, and symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Cough and runny nose
- Irritability
If your child presents any of these symptoms, you should go to a medical consultation immediately to have a proper diagnosis and to be able to take the necessary measures.
Treatment for Kawasaki syndrome
Prompt treatment will be the key to having a favorable outcome for the disease. The idea will be to prevent damage to the arteries and the heart, for this will be administered intravenous gamma globulin. This blood protein provides the antibodies that the immune system needs. Improvements are usually noticeable within 24 hours of starting treatment. Along with gamma globulin, aspirin can also be given.
Although the treatment is still quite effective, 1 in 4 children can develop problems with the arteries. As long as the disease is detected and treated in time, the complications will be more minor; in the same way, it is advisable to carry out an echocardiogram every one or two years to avoid cardiac complications.
Kawasaki syndrome complications
Generally, heart complications arise because the disease has not been diagnosed within the first ten days after symptoms appear. One of the complications is vasculitis, where the blood vessels become inflamed and affect the arteries that carry blood to the heart.
Inflammation of the myocardium or changes in the heart rhythm can also occur. Children who have had Kawasaki syndrome must receive the flu vaccine every year to avoid the possible contagion of viral diseases.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
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