Signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease
Physicians and researchers within the Division of Infectious Disease were able to diagnose and treat Andre's Kawasaki disease when others could not.
Read more.
A child is diagnosed with "classic" or "typical"
Kawasaki disease when he or she has a fever and at least four of the major
symptoms (see below) in combination with changes in the laboratory blood tests
such as an elevated sedimentation rate.
A diagnosis, however, can also be made if the child does not have all of the
features noted above. This is referred to as "atypical" or "incomplete" Kawasaki
disease.
Major symptoms
Fever and irritability often occur first in Kawasaki
disease. The fever fluctuates from moderate (101-103° F) to high (104° F). The fever continues to
rise and fall for as long as three weeks without treatment.
Rash usually
develops early in the illness on the chest, back, diaper area and abdomen. In
some cases, the rash may spread to the face, arms and legs. Often bright red in
appearance, the rash ususally consists of poorly defined spots and blotches of
various sizes.
Blood-shot eyes
may develop, as well as a sensitivity to light. There is usually no drainage
from the eyes.
The inside of the
mout may become more red than ususal and the lips may become red, dry,
swollen or cracked. The child's tongue may be coated, slightly swollen and red
(described as "strawberry tongue").
Hands and feet may
become red and are often swollen. Occasionally, swollen and painful joints
(knees, hips, ankles or
fingers) or a stiff neck will develop.
Lymph glands in
the neck may become swollen, usually more on one side of the neck than the
other. This is the least common of the major symptoms of Kawasaki disease.
Other complaints can include
abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, listlessness and
irritability.