Date:
20 April 2024
Page URL:
https://ntk.eastamb.nhs.uk/news/Clinical_focus_Kawasaki_disease.htm?pr=
What is it?
It is a disease of unknown origin, probably infectious but with autoimmune and genetic elements that affect children.
What does it look like?
The child will have a prolonged fever of at least five days. The most common classical features in addition to fever are:
Other classic features are:
Other symptoms are non-specific but include:
The fever can vary but can have spikes of 39-40˚C.
What should I do about it?
All children with a fever that has lasted five days or more, or those with a fever of shorter duration, who are displaying classical features, should see a doctor to rule out Kawasaki disease.
Kawasaki is a rare condition – the Trust has produced a ‘rare conditions handbook’ that covers this, and other rare illnesses, to help with your clinical decision making. You can download a copy here.