Kawasaki Disease is a very rare febrile disease of the children. It causes swelling of the blood vessels that carry blood all over the body, which is the cause of all the symptoms of Kawasaki Disease. It is also called as acute febrile mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, because it also causes swelling and inflammation in the lymph nodes and inside the mouth, eyes, nose and throat. This disease usually affects children under the age of 5 years ; it is a quick progressing disease and if left untreated can affect the blood vessels of the heart and lead to further complications. 

CAUSES 

• The exact cause of Kawasaki Disease is not known. 
• Studies have shown that it can be liked to certain specific genes which make the individual more sensitive to the changes in the environment.
• Presence of certain virus, bacteria, chemicals etc. may trigger the genetic susceptibility and start an auto immune response.
• Kawasaki Diseases is not contagious. 
• It occurs in clusters and cases are found more during the months of spring and summer. 
• Boys are more likely to get Kawasaki Disease than girls.

SYMPTOMS

The disease progresses in 3 stages. A continuous lasting fever being the first sign. 

• Prolonged high fever (above 101ºF) for more than 5 days, that does not come down even with the use of fever medicines. This should alarm the parents. 

• Reddish skin rash on the trunk, arms, legs, back and genital areas.

• The Lips become swollen, red, and cracked.

• Marked redness of Eyes / Bloodshot Eyes.

• Big red Strawberry tongue. 

• Swelling of hands and feet along with reddish rash.

• Swelling of the lymph glands in the neck.

• In later stages, the child may also develop joint pains, stomach pain loose stools, vomiting, and irritability.

• The Reddish skin rash may start to peel. 

• Rarely it can cause gangrene (of the 4th and 5th fingers of the hands in kids. 

DIAGNOSIS – 

• Diagnosis of Kawasaki Disease is done by the presence of some very striking symptoms – 
• Diagnostic criteria – prolonged fever for more than 5 days that does not come down even with the use of fever medicines, skin rash with swelling and redness, strawberry tongue, enlarged glands and swelling of the mucus membranes of eyes, nose, lips, tongue.
• Blood tests may indicate inflammation with anemia and low platelets count. 

COMPLICATIONS – 

• Kawasaki Disease is easily treatable if detected within 10 days of onset of the symptoms. 

• If left untreated, the swelling of the blood vessels of the heart can cause serious heart problems in children that can go on until adult life and require lifelong medications.

• Children with a history of Kawasaki Disease are more prone to develop heart problems later in adult like. 

TREATMENT

• It is vital to begin the treatment for Kawasaki Disease at the earliest to avoid any further complications of the disease.

• Treatment is mainly by intra venous antibodies to fight against the infection.

• Anti-inflammatory medicines to bring down inflammation in the body. 

• In children not responsive to treatment, steroids have to be used.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT – 

 Homoeopathy being the science of individualization based on symptom similarity has great scope in the treatment of Kawasaki Disease. In Kawasaki Disease the immune activation due to various external stimuli and internal susceptibility attacks the blood vessels of the entire body. In such a condition, homoeopathic approach by targeting the cause of the innate susceptibility and the symptoms of the individual helps in lowering the immune response and bringing down the inflammatory reaction in the body. There are various homoeopathic medicines to choose from based on the symptoms of the individual, here our doctors at BEING WELL HOMOEOPATHY is thorough in their history taking and examination so that we can give you your required homoeopathic lifesaving medicine. 

 Homoeopathy can also prevent any further complications of the disease and help the individual lead a disease-free life even after such a serious condition like Kawasaki.