A child with high fever: Kawasaki disease

Br J Nurs. 2013 Mar;22(5):255-8.

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis and it predominantly affects young children. Fever with rash is a common presentation in children and is mostly due to a viral illness needing symptomatic treatment. However, KD should be considered if the child has a high fever lasting for more than 5 days and has got other cardinal features of KD. It is important to get the diagnosis correct as cardiac complications can only be reduced when intravenous immunoglobulin is administered within a critical time frame (maximum 10 days) from the onset of the illness. Nurses play a vital role in managing and supporting children and their families, both in the community and the hospital setting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / therapy