What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Kawasaki Disease?
Major Signs and Symptoms
One of the main symptoms during the early part of Kawasaki disease, called the acute phase, is fever. The fever lasts longer than 5 days. It remains high even after treatment with standard childhood fever medicines.
Other classic signs of the disease are:
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
A rash on the mid-section of the body and in the genital area
Red, dry, cracked lips and a red, swollen tongue
Red, swollen palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Redness of the eyes
Other Signs and Symptoms
During the acute phase, your child also may be irritable and have a sore throat, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Within 2 to 3 weeks of the start of symptoms, the skin on your child's fingers and toes may peel, sometimes in large sheets.
How Is Kawasaki Disease Diagnosed?
Kawasaki disease is diagnosed based on your child's signs and symptoms and the results from tests and procedures.
Specialists Involved
Pediatricians often are the first to suspect a child has Kawasaki disease. Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in treating children.
If the disease has affected your child's coronary (heart) arteries, a pediatric cardiologist will confirm the diagnosis and give ongoing treatment. Pediatric cardiologists treat children who have heart problems.
Other specialists also may be involved in treating children who have Kawasaki disease.
Signs and Symptoms
The doctor will check your child for the classic signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease.
The doctor will rule out other diseases that cause similar symptoms. These diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, scarlet fever, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Generally, your child will be diagnosed with Kawasaki disease if he or she has a fever that lasts longer than 5 days plus four other classic signs or symptoms of the disease.
However, not all children have classic signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease. Tests and procedures can help confirm whether a child has the disease.
Major Signs and Symptoms
One of the main symptoms during the early part of Kawasaki disease, called the acute phase, is fever. The fever lasts longer than 5 days. It remains high even after treatment with standard childhood fever medicines.
Other classic signs of the disease are:
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
A rash on the mid-section of the body and in the genital area
Red, dry, cracked lips and a red, swollen tongue
Red, swollen palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Redness of the eyes
Other Signs and Symptoms
During the acute phase, your child also may be irritable and have a sore throat, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Within 2 to 3 weeks of the start of symptoms, the skin on your child's fingers and toes may peel, sometimes in large sheets.
How Is Kawasaki Disease Diagnosed?
Kawasaki disease is diagnosed based on your child's signs and symptoms and the results from tests and procedures.
Specialists Involved
Pediatricians often are the first to suspect a child has Kawasaki disease. Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in treating children.
If the disease has affected your child's coronary (heart) arteries, a pediatric cardiologist will confirm the diagnosis and give ongoing treatment. Pediatric cardiologists treat children who have heart problems.
Other specialists also may be involved in treating children who have Kawasaki disease.
Signs and Symptoms
The doctor will check your child for the classic signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease.
The doctor will rule out other diseases that cause similar symptoms. These diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, scarlet fever, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Generally, your child will be diagnosed with Kawasaki disease if he or she has a fever that lasts longer than 5 days plus four other classic signs or symptoms of the disease.
However, not all children have classic signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease. Tests and procedures can help confirm whether a child has the disease.