Kawasaki Syndrome
Posted by Kurt Wilde
Kawasaki Syndrome is a rare though serious rash that occurs in children under the age of five. There is not much known about how a child can contract the syndrome and how it spreads, but it does not appear to be infectuous. Symptoms include a high fever above 39° C that rises and falls and cannot be cured by antibiotics. The fever lasts over five days and is accompanied by swollen lymph nodes, red eyes, and irritability. The rash usually covers the whole body. The most serious complication is coronary artery aneurysms or the ballooning of the heart vessels. Around 1-2% of patients die from the disease and the complications. Children with Kawasaki syndrome are usuall treated in a hospital where they can be closely monitored. Aspirin is usually prescribed. There are no preventive measures known as of now.