Kawasaki disease can be a condition that causes concern in families, but with early diagnosis and treatment, most children recover fully. Therefore, it is important to contact a healthcare professional immediately when children develop symptoms. Increasing awareness and awareness about Kawasaki disease can play a critical role in ensuring early diagnosis and treatment.
What is Kawasaki disease?
Kawasaki disease is an acute vascular disease that is usually seen in children under the age of 5 and can affect all organs. It is not possible to give a clear answer to the question of what causes Kawasaki disease because although the cause of Kawasaki disease is not yet known exactly, it is thought that an infection caused by viruses or bacteria triggers the disease.
How is Kawasaki disease diagnosed?
Symptoms of Kawasaki disease usually begin suddenly and last for more than 3 days. Kawasaki disease symptoms include:
- Fire: Fever is usually 39°C or higher and may last more than 5 days.
- Debris: The rash usually appears on the chest, arms, and legs. The rash may be red or purple in color and appear in the form of small spots or large spots.
- Cracked lips: Cracked lips usually appear as dry and cracked lips.
- Redness in the mouth, tongue and eyes: Redness in the mouth, tongue and eyes may often be red or purple in color.
How is Kawasaki disease transmitted?
We can answer the question of whether Kawasaki disease is contagious as follows:
Kawasaki disease is not an infectious disease and is not considered a contagious disease. The disease can be seen with increasing frequency depending on the seasons and shows different symptoms from individual to individual.
How is Kawasaki disease treated?
Kawasaki disease treatment is usually done with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin therapy. IVIG therapy in the treatment of Kawasaki disease helps normalize the body’s immune system. Aspirin therapy helps prevent blood clots. Kawasaki disease usually recovers completely with early diagnosis and treatment. However, untreated Kawasaki disease can cause coronary artery aneurysm. A coronary artery aneurysm is an enlargement of the coronary arteries and can cause a heart attack. There is no vaccine or medication to prevent Kawasaki disease. However, the following precautions can be taken to protect against the disease:
- Keep your child away from people who are sick.
- Wash your child’s hands frequently.
- Help your child develop a healthy immune system.
Is Kawasaki disease fatal?
Kawasaki disease is a disease that generally has a good prognosis with appropriate and early treatment. However, if left untreated or if treatment is started late, the disease can cause serious complications and be fatal. One of the most serious complications is aneurysm or other heart problems due to inflammation in the heart vessels. Most children with Kawasaki disease recover completely with appropriate treatment and do not develop heart problems. Ideally, treatment should begin within 1 week after symptoms begin.
Is Kawasaki disease present in Turkey?
Kawasaki disease is also seen in Turkey. Studies conducted in Turkey estimate that the annual incidence of Kawasaki disease is 1-2 per 100,000 children. When we look at whether anyone in Turkey has Kawasaki disease, this disease is seen in every region of the country. However, the incidence of the disease may vary depending on the region. For example, while the disease is more common in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, it is less common in the Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia regions.
To give another answer to the question of whether anyone has Kawasaki disease, we can look at examples from around the world.
Jett Travolta, the son of world-famous actor John Travolta, was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease when he was 2 years old. Jett’s Kawasaki disease progressed without treatment and caused a coronary artery aneurysm. After Jett Travolta’s death, his family worked to raise awareness about Kawasaki disease.