Statement of Disease

Kawasaki Syndrome is a disease that was first reported in 1961 by Doctor Tomisaku Kawasaki from Japan. These first sighting occured after World War II in Tokyo Red Cross Medical Centre. It is a rare disease found most commonly in children 5 and younger. It is also more common in boys than it is girls. There are rare cases of adults obtaining Kawasaki.

Main Function of Organ Affected: Heart and Blood Vessels

The Heart and Blood Vessels are affected due to this syndrome.

The main functions for the heart are:

• Pump blood throughout the body
• Reoxygentate blood cells
• Keep our body properly perfused

The main function of the Blood Vessels are:

• Direct blood in the areas needed to function properly
• Transport nutrients to body parts such as muscle and brain
  
  

Definition of Kawasaki Syndrome

The origin of Kawasaki Syndrome is unknown at the moment making it hard to define what kind of disease it is. Many researchers however, believe that it is a combination of a damaged immune system and a virus. It is also believe that there is a gene factor that causes this.

Symptomsm by this disease are:

• Fever lasting about 5 days with tempratures of 104 or higher


• Blister-like rashes that come in different forms


• Swollenness of the body, both externally and internally

and

• Dry, red, cracked lips along with a really red tongue
  

Treatment

Although there is no current cure, there is medicine that is taken to get rid of most of the symptoms. Aspirin is taken to relieve the joint pains and inflammation, thus reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Intravenous immunoglobulin is also given to help white blood cell count and fight off the viral part of the disease. The immunoglobulin also helps fight the fever within the first week and results can be seen in less than 24hrs. after being diagnosed. This however, has better results the ealier the patient is diagnosed.

Conclusion

Although there is no cure, i believe we will later find a cure by combining medicine in such a way that it was cancel the viral part of the disease and strengthen the low antibody count. If possible, vaccines could be created through the same combination of medicine to futher prevent the risk kof kids obtaining the disease. Since gene factors are thought to be involved, we could find a way to alter all the genes in such a way that they would be healthy enough not to obtain Kawasaki syndrome.

Regular check ups shouldalso be done to make sure everything is fine and there are no problems with you or your child. I also think that you shouldn't leave all illness unattended until it is too late. If there are symptoms that seem unusual, you should contact your docotor to verify everything is okay.

Refrences

Allende, M. J. (n.d.). Kawasaki's Syndrome - Kawasaki Disease Medical Information. Retrieved August 13, 2009, from http://www.medicineonline.com/articles/K/2/Kawasakis-Syndrome/Kawasaki-Disease.html

DeNoon, D. J., & Chang, L. (2009, January 5). Web Medicine - Bringing You the Best Medical Sites on the Web. Retrieved August 13, 2009, from http://www.webmed.com/news/20090105/kawasaki-disease-no-travolta-death-link

Kawasaki - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved August 13, 2009, from http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki

Kawasaki Disease - All Sections (printer-friendly). (n.d.). Retrieved August 13, 2009, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/kd/kd_all.html

Kawasaki Disease. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2013, from www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4634