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Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease incubation period
Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a common pediatric fever and rash illness, primarily a systemic small vessel vasculitis. Kawasaki disease is not contagious, so it has no incubation period; only infectious diseases have incubation periods. If it were contagious, typical manifestations would include persistent high fever, pinpoint appearances around the eyes and mouth, typical rash, swelling of the hands and feet, and non-purulent swelling of the cervical lymph nodes. Therefore, Kawasaki disease has no incubation period and is a vasculitis mediated by immune mechanisms.
Kawasaki Disease Aspirin Side Effects
Aspirin is necessary for Kawasaki disease. Considering the pros and cons, aspirin must be used in cases of Kawasaki disease, initially in high doses. However, aspirin indeed has side effects. Some say aspirin is contraindicated for children, as its consumption can lead to Reye's Syndrome. This syndrome involves widespread mitochondrial damage following the intake of salicylate drugs during viral infection recovery, posing risks to the liver and brain. Without timely treatment, it could likely lead to liver and kidney failure, brain damage, or even death. Thus, aside from specific diseases, the use of aspirin is strictly prohibited. These specific diseases include Kawasaki disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Therefore, the use of aspirin in Kawasaki disease is necessary, but it can indeed lead to some side effects.
How to alleviate vomiting in Kawasaki disease
When children with Kawasaki disease experience vomiting, the first step is to refrain from eating and drinking, including water, for one to two hours after vomiting to avoid burdening the stomach and intestines. If vomiting subsides after fasting, there is no need for medication temporarily. However, if there is no significant relief and bloating is evident, it is necessary to treat for bowel movement and gas release. At this time, oral medications that aid in digestion, such as digestive tonics, are acceptable. If relief is still not achieved, intravenous fluid supplementation and medications that enhance gastrointestinal motility can be administered. Parents can also keep the abdomen warm and, centering around the navel, perform clockwise abdominal massages to help alleviate the symptoms of vomiting.
Causes of secondary recurrence of Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, commonly affects children and infants under five years old. It is an acute, systemic vasculitic disease. Clinically, it is primarily characterized by persistent fever, bilateral conjunctival congestion, cracked lips, strawberry tongue, rash, hard swelling of hands and feet, fingertip desquamation, and enlargement of cervical lymph nodes. In severe cases, it can lead to coronary artery dilation, coronary artery aneurysms, and thrombotic obstruction. The exact cause of Kawasaki disease is not very clear, but it is mainly believed to be related to infections. The probability of secondary recurrence of Kawasaki disease is about 2%, and its causes mainly have to do with infections, immune factors of the body, genetic factors, and so on.
Kawasaki disease peeling symptoms
Kawasaki disease is a disease with unclear etiology and unclear pathogenesis of the autoimmune system. Its main pathological change is systemic vasculitis, commonly occurring in the coronary arteries. At the onset, symptoms in the hands and feet include stiff swelling and erythema during the acute phase. In the recovery phase, membranous peeling occurs at the junction of the skin and the nail base of fingers and toes, and there are transverse grooves in the nails. In severe cases, the nails of the fingers and toes may also fall off. Additionally, its skin manifestations include polymorphic skin plaques and scarlet fever-like rashes, which commonly appear in the first week of the disease, with redness and peeling of the skin around the anus.
How long does Kawasaki disease require hospitalization?
Kawasaki disease requires hospitalization and continued medication after discharge. The duration of the hospital stay is mainly determined by the child's clinical symptoms. The child can return home when the fever subsides and the dosage of aspirin is reduced, which may take about four to seven days, although this is just a general scenario. After discharge, medication must continue. If the child's coronary arteries are fine, with no dilation or lesions, a low dose of aspirin can be taken for about two months. If there are issues with the coronary arteries, aspirin must be continuously taken until the dilation resolves before stopping the aspirin, so this period can be quite long.
Kawasaki disease sequelae
Kawasaki disease is an autoimmune vasculitis, and since it is vasculitis, it can originate from blood vessels in various parts, including the heart, liver, kidneys, brain, and more. However, it mainly arises from the coronary arteries of the heart. If Kawasaki disease is not effectively treated, some patients can develop coronary artery dilation and even coronary artery aneurysms. Once a coronary artery aneurysm occurs, its complication includes the risk of rupture and bleeding of the aneurysm, which can be difficult to treat if there is severe bleeding. If there is some coronary artery dilation, it can lead to the formation of coronary artery thrombosis, which is also a complication it can cause. However, the vast majority of Kawasaki disease cases, if treated effectively, can prevent coronary artery abnormalities. Therefore, as long as the treatment is timely, most cases will not have significant lasting effects.
Is Kawasaki disease prone to recurrence?
Kawasaki disease is a common pediatric febrile, rash-causing illness, and once diagnosed, treatment must begin actively. Most cases of Kawasaki disease have a very good prognosis with standard treatment, but about 5% of children may experience temporary coronary artery abnormalities, and the recurrence rate of Kawasaki disease can reach 1% to 3%. Therefore, once a child is diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, it is essential to conduct follow-up throughout the treatment process. Follow-ups should be done at three months, six months, and one year after the onset of the disease in new cases. The purpose of the follow-up is mainly to assess the child's prognosis and evaluate the coronary arteries to see if there is any recurrence, so this follow-up work is very important.
How is Kawasaki disease treated?
Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, can cause damage to the coronary arteries in untreated children, so it is crucial to treat the disease promptly once diagnosed. This disease generally occurs sporadically or in small outbreaks and can occur in any season, predominantly affecting infants and young children. The main treatment for Kawasaki disease is aspirin, which not only reduces fever but also helps reduce coronary artery lesions. Additionally, intravenous immunoglobulin is administered; however, the use of corticosteroids in Kawasaki disease is still somewhat controversial. Other treatments mainly include antiplatelet aggregation agents such as dipyridamole, and symptomatic supportive care for the child, including fluid supplementation, heart protection, control of heart failure, and correction of arrhythmias. For severe coronary artery lesions, coronary artery bypass surgery may be required. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)
Is it normal for Kawasaki disease to have a lower temperature?
The etiology of Kawasaki disease is currently unclear; its primary pathological feature is systemic vascular inflammation. Kawasaki disease typically presents with fever, high fevers ranging from 39 to 40 degrees Celsius. If a patient with Kawasaki disease has a lower temperature, it may indicate that the condition is quite severe. For example, children generally have weaker immune systems, or if they have a severe co-infection, hypothermia may occur. In this case, it is recommended that doctors perform further examinations and intensify treatment. Therefore, a lower temperature in Kawasaki disease is also abnormal. Normally, the body temperature should gradually return to the normal range, and both hypothermia and hyperthermia are definitely abnormal conditions.