Knowing Kawasaki Disease, The Toddler Attacker

Sahabat Hermina, as quoted by pediatrics.ucsd.edu, Kawasaki is a disease caused by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. This disease was discovered in Japan in 1967 by a pediatrician named Kawasaki. To appreciate his services, this disease was named Kawasaki. Kawasaki disease always attacks children, especially children under five years old, which initially attacks the mouth, skin, and lymph nodes.

Kawasaki disease is not an infectious disease and is not contagious. This disease causes symptoms in the form of fever and a red skin rash that appears in almost all parts of the body. To prevent inflammation of the walls of the heart's blood vessels, Kawasaki disease needs to be treated as soon as symptoms appear. If treated early, a child with Kawasaki disease can make a full recovery in 6-8 weeks.

Causes of Kawasaki Disease

Until now, what causes a child to develop Kawasaki disease is still unknown. However, the theory from experts states that this health problem arises because of a viral or bacterial infection that has already occurred. At least two weeks to a month in advance. Not only that, this non-communicable disease is also thought to be related to genetic disorders inherited from parents. 

Symptoms of Kawasaki Disease

Launching from the Mayo Clinic, Kawasaki Disease occurs in three phases, namely:

First phase, the signs and symptoms of the first phase may include:

• High fever, which can reach over 102.2 F (39 degrees C) and lasts longer than 3 day.
• Very red eyes.
• Rash on the main body and in the genital area.
• Red, dry, cracked lips and a very red, swollen tongue. 
• Red, swollen skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and possibly elsewhere.
• The fussy nature of the child.

The second phase, in the second phase of the disease, your child may experience:

• Skin on the hands and feet that peels, especially the tips of the fingers and toes, and is quite large.
• Joint pain.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomit.
• Stomach ache.

Third phase, in the third phase of Kawasaki Disease: 

• The signs and symptoms slowly go away, but complications begin to develop. 
• Usually this happens for 8 weeks, before the child's energy returns to normal. Call the doctor if your little one shows these symptoms. 
• Children who are younger than 1 or older than 5 years, are more likely to show incomplete symptoms. These children constitute 25% of cases of Kawasaki disease who are at high risk for complications of heart disease. 

Kawasaki Disease Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for Kawasaki disease in children, depends on the symptoms, age and general health of our child. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Treatment usually begins after the first signs appear in children. Your child may need to stay in the hospital for a few days or more.

The child's healthcare provider may prescribe gamma globulin (IVIG) aspirin or IV (intravenous). Corticosteroids and other medicines may also be prescribed if aspirin and IVIG are not working well. Once your child gets home, he or she may need to take low-dose aspirin for 6-8 weeks. Do not give aspirin to children without first consulting a pediatrician.

Because, the exact cause of Kawasaki disease is not known until now, then there is no way to prevent the disease. However, regular check-ups on Kawasaki disease are important to prevent complications that can arise.

Routine examinations are carried out up to 6-8 weeks after the onset of symptoms in children suffering from Kawasaki disease. Furthermore, it is recommended to return to undergo examination 6 months after the last control.

Well, some severe cases of Kawasaki disease require surgery and a small number of children can even die. The risk of this complication will be greater if it occurs in infants. You may need to follow up with a pediatric cardiologist to make sure the heart is functioning properly. Your child may need medication, follow-up X-rays, an echocardiogram, an EKG (electrocardiogram), or other tests. Salam sehat.