What is Kawasaki disease? Is it contagious?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on January 10, 2025
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Kawasaki disease is a common pediatric febrile rash disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. It is a systemic vasculitis syndrome mediated by immune mechanisms. Kawasaki disease may be caused by acute immune dysregulation due to infectious factors, and genetic factors may be related to the acute onset of the disease. Therefore, Kawasaki disease is not contagious, and contact with children with Kawasaki disease will not lead to transmission. Kawasaki disease generally occurs in infants and young children, and there is no clear seasonal pattern to its occurrence, nor significant gender differences.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What is Kawasaki Disease?

Kawasaki disease was first reported in 1967 by Tomisaku Kawasaki in Japan and is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. Approximately 15% to 20% of cases experience coronary artery damage after effective treatment. Since 1970, cases have been reported worldwide, with a higher incidence among Asians. As diagnostic capabilities improve globally, the incidence of this disease is decreasing. This disease occurs sporadically or in small epidemics and can occur in any season, most commonly affecting infants and young children, with 80% of cases occurring in children under five years of age. The cause of the disease is unclear, and the mechanism of onset is also not well understood, with the primary pathological change being systemic vasculitis. The main clinical symptoms are high fever between 39 to 40 degrees Celsius, followed by ineffectiveness of antibiotic treatment, and conjunctival congestion. Other symptoms include congested, cracked lips, diffuse congestion of the oral mucosa, indurative edema of hands and feet with emerging erythema, polymorphous skin eruptions and scarlet fever-like rash, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes, which can be unilateral or bilateral, hard and tender, but not red on the surface. There may be complications involving coronary artery damage, and potential complications such as myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis, and arrhythmias. Additionally, there may be other associated symptoms such as interstitial pneumonia, digestive system symptoms, joint pain, and arthritis.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
50sec home-news-image

What is Kawasaki disease? Is it contagious?

Kawasaki disease is a common pediatric febrile rash disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. It is a systemic vasculitis syndrome mediated by immune mechanisms. Kawasaki disease may be caused by acute immune dysregulation due to infectious factors, and genetic factors may be related to the acute onset of the disease. Therefore, Kawasaki disease is not contagious, and contact with children with Kawasaki disease will not lead to transmission. Kawasaki disease generally occurs in infants and young children, and there is no clear seasonal pattern to its occurrence, nor significant gender differences.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
32sec home-news-image

Does Kawasaki disease cause a rash on the face?

The pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease is unclear, and the main pathological change is systemic vasculitis. Typically, the rash is a polymorphic erythema or a scarlatiniform rash, primarily occurring on the trunk. Generally, facial rashes are rare, but it's not entirely impossible for rashes to appear on the face. Therefore, if a baby develops a rash on the face without other infections, Kawasaki disease might also present this symptom.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Is Kawasaki disease easy to treat?

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a self-limiting disease but is an acute systemic vasculitis commonly seen in infants and children under the age of 5. The primary clinical manifestations include non-suppurative cervical lymphadenopathy, oral mucosal lesions, conjunctival congestion, prolonged fever, polymorphous rash, and hard swelling of the hands and feet with fingertip desquamation. Cardiovascular damage is the most severe complication of Kawasaki disease and can lead to coronary artery aneurysms and coronary artery dilation. If Kawasaki disease is not treated promptly, the incidence of developing coronary artery aneurysms is 15%-25%, making Kawasaki disease one of the most common causes of acquired heart disease in infants and young children. Therefore, timely treatment of Kawasaki disease is crucial, generally involving anti-inflammatory treatment, immune support, and symptomatic management. If there is no concomitant coronary artery damage, treatment involves symptomatic management. If there is coronary artery damage, the treatment duration will be longer and regular follow-up is necessary. The course of the disease can extend over months or even years, thus treatment of Kawasaki disease needs to be tailored based on the individual's condition and clinical symptoms.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Is the spirit of Kawasaki disease good?

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, has an unclear cause and is generally prevalent in infants and young children, with 80% of cases occurring in children under five years old. The mechanism of the disease is also not very clear. Its main pathological presentation is systemic vasculitis, often involving the coronary arteries. The primary clinical symptoms include high fever, which is unresponsive to antibiotic treatment, conjunctival congestion, diffuse oral congestion, strawberry tongue, indurative edema of the hands and feet, and palmoplantar erythema. Additionally, it may affect the heart, leading to conditions such as pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, and arrhythmias. During the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, the high fever and diffuse oral mucosal congestion can affect the child's mental state. If the heart is involved, there may be abnormalities in heart rate and heart function, which can also lead to a poor mental state. Therefore, if Kawasaki disease is confirmed, it definitely requires active treatment.