Kawasaki Disease/Kawasaki Syndrome: Symptoms and Causes
The following are the symptoms and causes of Kawasaki Disease or Kawasaki Syndrome.
Symptoms: First phase
The first phase begins with a fever, which often is higher than 104 F (40 C), spikes and remits, and lasts one to two weeks. Your doctor may suspect Kawasaki disease if the fever lasts for five or more days, and your child has developed four or more of these signs and symptoms:
* Extremely red eyes (conjunctivitis) without thick discharge
* A rash on the main part of the body (trunk) and in the genital area
* Red, dry, cracked lips and an extremely red, swollen tongue (”raspberry” tongue)
* Swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
* Sore throat
* Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and perhaps elsewhere
Second phase
In the second phase of the disease, your child may develop:
* Peeling of the skin on the hands and feet, especially the tips of the fingers and toes, often in large sheets
* Joint pain
* Diarrhea
* Vomiting
* Abdominal pain
Third phase
In the third phase of the disease, signs and symptoms slowly go away unless complications develop.
Causes: No one knows what causes Kawasaki disease. A number of theories link the disease to bacteria, viruses, or environmental chemicals or pollutants, but none has been proved. Kawasaki disease doesn’t appear to be hereditary.
