Abstract
Kawasaki disease is a non-contagious syndrome that commonly affects children aged below 5 years. According to Stone (2009, p. 45), this disease affects the blood vessels causing inflammation, which puts the coronary artery that carries blood to the heart at a high risk of infection. It can also affect other parts of the body. According to McMillan and Oski (2006, p. 55), the disease may be mistaken by parents to be another common disease that affects children during their early childhood stages. This is so because it has symptoms that are commonly felt in many diseases.
Causes
Researchers have conducted studies to determine some of the common causes of the Kawasaki disease. Although the exact cause of the disease is not exactly known, Baren (2008, p. 42) argues that there is a possibility that the infection is always a result of genetic and environmental factors. Some recent studies also reveal that there could be a connection between the infection and some environmental factors like stagnant water pools or carpet cleaning areas. However, this theory is yet to be established. Luxner and Jaffe (2005, p. 87) point out that some pathogens in the air are suspected to cause the disease. Efforts to prove this argument are underway in Japan.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of the disease develop in phases. During the first phase, the disease starts with persistent fever which may last for over 5 days. This fever ranges from 39-40°C. The onset of the disease is detected by persistent fever, a condition that is associated with cardiac problems when it prolongs. The other symptoms that are detected during this phase include rashes in some parts of the body, redness of the eyes, swollen palms, tongue, and lymph nodes, and cracked-dry lips.
The second phase of the disease usually begins after two weeks from the onset of the fever. The phase is characterized by the peeling of the skin on both hands and feet. This symptom may be also experienced by the children who have already been treated. Other symptoms that are experienced by the victims during this phase include joint pains, diarrhea, abdominal pains, and vomiting.
Diagnosis and Treatment
According to Stone (2009, p. 37), there are severe complications that may be posed by the disease in the body of a victim, and therefore, early diagnosis is vital for early and appropriate treatment plans to be undertaken. However, this scholar argues that it may be tricky to diagnose Kawasaki disease because it cannot be detected using laboratory equipment. Many doctors use symptoms to diagnose the disease. If a child has experienced persistent fever for over 5 days and with some other symptoms of the disease, then there are high chances that the child is Kawasaki positive. Some doctors may order lab tests for various diseases to rule out the infection of other related diseases.
Others use echocardiograms to check if there are any heart-related problems. Fleisher and Ludwig (2010, p. 23) say that although it is hard to diagnose the disease, the good thing is that once detected there is a treatment. Doctors give immunoglobulin to the victims to lessen the inflammation. Some painkillers may also be used to reduce the pain. Specific skin lotions may be administered to normalize the skin condition and if the child has any heart problems, some follow-up tests may be recommended.
List of References
Baren, M 2008, Pediatric emergency medicine, Cengage, Philadelphia.
Fleisher, G & Ludwig, S 2010, Textbook of pediatric emergency medicine, Cengage, Philadelphia.
Luxner, K & Jaffe, M 2005, Delmar’s pediatric nursing care plans, Thomson Delmar Learning, Melbourne.
McMillan, J & Oski, F2006, Oski’s pediatrics: Principles & practice, Wiley, New York.
Stone, J 2009, A clinician’s pearls and myths in rheumatology, Springer, Dordrecht.