September 10, 2009

Washington Post Medical Mystery: Kawasaki Disease


The Washington Post on Sept 8, 2009 published a story called "A Frightful Week for a Little Girl" in its Medical Mystery section on Kawasaki Disease. This disease is rare and difficult to diagnose given its multitude of symptoms that can be due to something more benign including:

• red eyes
• fever
• rash
neck mass
• red lips/mouth

However, it is the constellation of symptoms according to guidelines that Kawasaki in children should be considered when there has been an unexplained fever lasting five days, when accompanied by other symptoms including red eyes without discharge, red lips or mouth, a rash and a swollen lymph node in the neck. The red eyes and lips/mouth is the hallmark symptom of something more sinister.

To miss this diagnosis and be without proper treatment within 10 days of symptom onset may result in heart attack, coronary artery aneurysm, and even death.

Read the article here.
Fauquier blog
Fauquier ENT

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids.


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