KUALA LUMPUR - Kawasaki disease, also known as Kawasaki Syndrome, although rare can cause death in infected children if not given the appropriate treatment immediately.
Hospital Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Senior Consultant Specialist Pediatrician Associate Prof Dr Intan Hakimah Ismail said the disease involves the inflammation of the blood vessels and tends to infect children under five years old.
"What is most worrying about the disease is that inflammation of the coronary arteries can cause subsequent heart problems, which has fatal risks to it if not treated accordingly,” she told Bernama.
Dr Intan is also the Head of the Immunology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at UPM.
She said Kawasaki disease was difficult to diagnose as it had similar symptoms to other diseases including the normal fever.
However, parents can take the first step by taking their child to see a doctor if their child is experiencing symptoms such as a fever that exceeds five days, rashes on parts of their body, swelling of the cervical glands, red tongue, a "strawberry tongue”, and dry, red eyes.
"If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, bring them to see a doctor immediately, preferably a pediatrician as they are more knowledgeable on Kawasaki disease,” she added.
On Monday, the Health Ministry uploaded an infographic regarding the Kawasaki disease and advised parents to seek immediate treatment if their child has symptoms to reduce the risk of cardiac complications.
On the method of treatment, Dr Intan Hakimah said an infected child will most likely recover within a few days, but in some cases, they may need to be hospitalised so that they will receive immunoglobulin antibodies via intravenous infusion, generally known as IV. - BERNAMA