Kawasaki disease, an illness more common among kids, is characterized by high fever and irritability in the early stages. If untreated, this ailment can cause heart disease. Kawasaki disease is treated by administering medications like immunoglobin...Kawasaki disease affects the skin, mouth, nose, throat, lymph nodes and linings of the blood vessels. The disease is so called, as it was identified for the first time by Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki of Japan, in 1967. It is also referred to as Kawasaki syndrome or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. Though, Kawasaki disease can affect older children and teenagers, it is estimated that 80 percent of patients are below 5 years. It occurs mostly among boys than girls.

Causes of Kawasaki disease are still unknown; the possible cause may be due to genetic and environmental factors. It is believed that viral infections and immune system also play a major role in the development of Kawasaki disease. Some scientific studies have claimed that it is caused after exposure to chemicals and allergies. However, till date there is no proof as to how Kawasaki disease is developed. It is found to be non-contagious.

Kawasaki Disease: Symptoms

The first notable sign of Kawasaki disease is high fever, usually higher than 39° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit), that remains persistent for at least 5 days to about 2 weeks. It is possible that the child may have seizure, because of the high body temperature. In the following days, symptoms are accompanied with irritability and restlessness. Following is the list of symptoms that are associated with Kawasaki disease:
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat
Redness in the eyes
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Red, dry and cracked lips
Joint pain
Red and swollen palms and soles
Peeling skin, especially the palms, nails and soles
Skin rash, mostly in the trunk portion and/or genitals
Strawberry tongue (white covering in the tongue, with papillae)
For an untreated Kawasaki disease, there are chances that it affects the heart and causes certain problems like vasculitis (inflammation in the blood vessels), arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm), inflammation of the heart muscles and membrane lining (pericarditis) and in some cases, meningitis (inflammation of meninges). About 20 percent kids with Kawasaki disease develop heart problems and approximately 2 percent of them die due to these complications each year. In the United States, it is the leading cause of heart disease among children.