Symptoms of Kawasaki disease in children

Kawasaki disease in children is an acute febrile disease with systemic vasculitis as the main lesion, which mainly affects children under 5 years old. Common symptoms include persistent high fever, rash, oral mucosal congestion, and hard swelling of hands and feet. If similar symptoms are found, you need to seek medical attention in time. Early diagnosis and treatment can effectively prevent complications.

1. Continuous high fever

One of the typical symptoms of Kawasaki disease is persistent high fever, which usually lasts for more than 5 days and does not respond well to conventional antipyretic drugs. High fever may be accompanied by chills, fatigue and other symptoms. Parents should closely monitor body temperature, avoid blindly using antipyretic drugs, and seek medical attention in a timely manner for blood routine tests, C-reactive protein and other tests.

2. Rash

Rash is one of the common symptoms of Kawasaki disease. It often appears on the trunk and limbs, in the form of erythema or papules, and may be accompanied by itching. The rash usually appears within a few days after the fever and has various forms. Parents need to pay attention to changes in the rash, avoid scratching, keep the skin clean, and use mild skin care products when necessary.

3. Oral mucosal congestion

The oral mucosa of patients with Kawasaki disease often becomes congested, manifested as chapped lips, swollen strawberry tongue, and pharyngeal congestion. These symptoms may affect children's eating and drinking. Parents should encourage their children to drink more water, keep their mouths moist, and use oral sprays or gargles to relieve discomfort when necessary.

4. Swelling of hands and feet

Swelling of the hands and feet is one of the characteristic symptoms of Kawasaki disease, which manifests as redness, swelling, and even peeling of the palms and soles. This symptom usually occurs in the later stages of fever. Parents should avoid letting their children stand or walk for long periods of time, massage their hands and feet appropriately to promote blood circulation, and use moisturizer to protect the skin when necessary.

5. Other symptoms

Kawasaki disease may also be accompanied by conjunctival congestion, cervical lymphadenopathy, joint pain and other symptoms. Conjunctival congestion is usually not accompanied by secretions, cervical lymphadenopathy may be unilateral or bilateral, and joint pain often affects large joints. Parents need to pay close attention to changes in these symptoms and communicate with doctors in a timely manner.

If children are found to have the above symptoms, especially persistent high fever with rash, oral mucosal congestion, etc., they should seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease are crucial and can effectively prevent serious complications such as coronary artery disease. Treatment plans usually include intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin, and specific medications must be taken under the guidance of a doctor. Parents should actively cooperate with treatment and conduct regular checkups to ensure their children's healthy recovery.