Kawasaki disease incubation period

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on December 18, 2024
00:00
00:00

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a common pediatric fever and rash illness, primarily a systemic small vessel vasculitis. Kawasaki disease is not contagious, so it has no incubation period; only infectious diseases have incubation periods. If it were contagious, typical manifestations would include persistent high fever, pinpoint appearances around the eyes and mouth, typical rash, swelling of the hands and feet, and non-purulent swelling of the cervical lymph nodes. Therefore, Kawasaki disease has no incubation period and is a vasculitis mediated by immune mechanisms.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
52sec home-news-image

What should not be eaten with Kawasaki disease?

One of the main pathological changes in Kawasaki disease is systemic vasculitis. Clinically, common symptoms include fever, high fever, recurrent fever, conjunctival congestion, significant oral mucosal congestion, strawberry tongue, enlargement of neck lymph nodes, and peeling of the hands and feet. In cases of Kawasaki disease, oral mucosal congestion is a common complication, hence during the period of Kawasaki disease, it is advised not to consume irritating, spicy, or hot foods. These might exacerbate the child's discomfort, affect their nutrient absorption, and potentially worsen the condition. Therefore, during the illness, it is preferable to focus on bland, easy-to-digest foods.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shi Ji Peng
Pediatrics
45sec home-news-image

How long does Kawasaki disease require hospitalization?

Kawasaki disease requires hospitalization and continued medication after discharge. The duration of the hospital stay is mainly determined by the child's clinical symptoms. The child can return home when the fever subsides and the dosage of aspirin is reduced, which may take about four to seven days, although this is just a general scenario. After discharge, medication must continue. If the child's coronary arteries are fine, with no dilation or lesions, a low dose of aspirin can be taken for about two months. If there are issues with the coronary arteries, aspirin must be continuously taken until the dilation resolves before stopping the aspirin, so this period can be quite long.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 18sec home-news-image

Does Kawasaki disease cause vomiting?

Kawasaki disease is a disease with no clear etiology, commonly seen in infants and toddlers, with eighty percent of cases occurring in children under five years old. Its main pathological change is systemic vasculitis. The main symptoms include fever, congested and cracked lips, diffuse congestion of the oral mucosa, swollen tongue papillae, and strawberry tongue. Other symptoms may include swelling of the hands and feet, polymorphous erythema, and enlarged lymph nodes. There could be subsequent cardiac complications, primarily affecting the coronary arteries. Kawasaki disease may cause vomiting due to the diffuse congestion in the oral cavity, and the pharynx might also be congested. When children experience significant congestion, their laryngeal reflex might be sensitive, possibly leading to vomiting. Furthermore, children with Kawasaki disease might develop secondary infections from other bacteria and viruses, which could also lead to symptoms like vomiting. Therefore, the manifestations of Kawasaki disease can vary, and if significant vomiting occurs, it should be investigated to determine the cause.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
55sec home-news-image

Causes of secondary recurrence of Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, commonly affects children and infants under five years old. It is an acute, systemic vasculitic disease. Clinically, it is primarily characterized by persistent fever, bilateral conjunctival congestion, cracked lips, strawberry tongue, rash, hard swelling of hands and feet, fingertip desquamation, and enlargement of cervical lymph nodes. In severe cases, it can lead to coronary artery dilation, coronary artery aneurysms, and thrombotic obstruction. The exact cause of Kawasaki disease is not very clear, but it is mainly believed to be related to infections. The probability of secondary recurrence of Kawasaki disease is about 2%, and its causes mainly have to do with infections, immune factors of the body, genetic factors, and so on.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
42sec home-news-image

How long to take aspirin for Kawasaki disease

The current pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease is not yet clear, but one of its main pathological changes is a systemic vasculitis. During an outbreak of Kawasaki disease, the blood viscosity increases primarily due to platelet aggregation. Typically, oral aspirin is administered to prevent this inflammation and to treat platelet aggregation. The dosage is generally reduced gradually once the fever subsides, with maintenance doses lasting about six to eight weeks. If coronary artery lesions are present, the duration of medication is extended until the coronary arteries return to normal before discontinuing the drug.