Symptoms

Kawasaki disease signs and symptoms usually appear in three phases.

1st phase

Signs and symptoms of the first phase may include:

• A fever that is often is higher than 102.2 F (39 C) and lasts more than three days
• Extremely red eyes without a thick discharge
• A rash on the main part of the body and in the genital area
• Red, dry, cracked lips and an extremely red, swollen tongue
• Swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and perhaps elsewhere
• Irritability

2nd phase

In the second phase of the disease, your child may develop:

• Peeling of the skin on the hands and feet, especially the tips of the fingers and toes, often in large sheets
• Joint pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain

3rd phase

In the third phase of the disease, signs and symptoms slowly go away unless complications develop. It may be as long as eight weeks before energy levels seem normal again.

When to see a doctor

If your child has a fever that lasts more than three days, contact your child's doctor. Also, see your child's doctor if your child has a fever along with four or more of the following signs and symptoms:

• Redness in both eyes
• A very red, swollen tongue
• Redness of the palms or soles
• Skin peeling
• A rash
• Swollen lymph nodes

Treating Kawasaki disease within 10 days of when it began may greatly reduce the chances of lasting damage.