Kawasaki Disease Quiz

Kawasaki disease causes swelling, called inflammation, in the walls of small to medium-sized blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body. Kawasaki disease most often affects the heart arteries in children. Those arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. It also causes swelling in glands, called lymph nodes, and mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose, eyes and throat. Symptoms include a fever greater than 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) for five or more days, a rash on the main part of the body or in the genital area, an enlarged lymph node in the neck, very red eyes without a thick discharge, red, dry, cracked lips and a red, swollen tongue, swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Later the skin on fingers and toes peels.

• Fever

• Bloodshot eyes

• Swollen lymph nodes, usually small swellings at the neck, armpits, groin and behind the ears

• Skin over the entire body is red

• Redness and swelling of fingers/toes

• Skin problem on the arm

• Swelling around the front and sides of the neck

• Palm redness

The standard treatment is with anti-inflammatory drugs. The doctor may recommend IVIG, a mixture of antibodies that will reduce heart inflammation. If there is damage to the heart's blood vessels, lifelong follow-up with a heart specialist may be needed.