Are there any diseases that appear to be Kawasaki Disease but is actually something else?
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There is no one test to detect Kawasaki disease, so a doctor typically diagnoses it by evaluating the child's symptoms and ruling out other conditions.
Typically, a child who is diagnosed with this illness will have a fever lasting 5 or more days and at least 4 of the following symptoms:
redness in both eyes
changes around the lips, tongue, or mouth
changes in the fingers and toes, such as swelling, discoloration, or peeling
a rash in the trunk or genital area
a large swollen lymph node in the neck
red, swollen palms of hands and soles of feet
If Kawasaki disease is suspected, a doctor may order tests to monitor the child's heart function, which can include an echocardiogram, and other tests of heart function. A doctor may also take blood and urine samples to rule out other conditions, such as scarlet fever, measles, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and an allergic drug reaction.
Doctors can manage the symptoms of Kawasaki disease if they catch it early. The symptoms typically disappear within just two days of when treatment begins. Usually, if Kawasaki disease is treated within 10 days of when the first symptoms begin, no heart problems develop.
But if the illness goes untreated (time period can vary, but likely for 10-14 days and sooner in young infants), it can lead to more serious complications that involve the child's heart. Kawasaki disease can lead to vasculitis, which is an inflammation of the blood vessels. This can be particularly dangerous because it can affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
In addition to the coronary arteries, the heart muscle, lining, valves, or the outer membrane that surrounds the heart can become inflamed. Arrhythmias (changes in the normal pattern of the heartbeat) or abnormal functioning of some heart valves can also occur.
Treatment should begin as soon as possible, ideally within 10 days of when the fever first begins. Usually, a child is treated with intravenous doses of gamma globulin (purified antibodies), an ingredient of blood that helps the child's body fight off infection. The child may also be given a high-dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart problems.
Whether or not your nephew is receiving the correct treatment, I cannot say. Since the only " test" for Kawasaki disease is to rule out other diseases, it seems the doctors would have eliminated all others by now and know what they were dealing with.
Best of luck to your nephew.
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Could be a bacterial infection. Lyme or lyme like spirochetes are hard to find. My hands were swollen very bad. I took antibiotics and it has significantly reduced the swelling for me. Good luck.
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