Lymph Node Syndrome

What is it?
Lymph node syndrome (it is also called Kawasaki disease) is an autoimmune illness which affects children under 5 years old.  It mainly affects lymph nodes, mouth and also skin. The causes of this illness are unidentified. However, the symptoms must be recognized as early as it is possible (in this case the disease can be treated within few days), otherwise Kawasaki disease can affect the heart and bring complications. 
19 kids out of 100,000 are affected by Lymph node syndrome in America. It is commonly known that children of Asian ancestry are generally diagnosed with this illness; however Kawasaki disease can occur independently from race and ethnic group.
What symptoms may occur?
Lymph node syndrome is distinctive due to the following signs and symptoms appearing gradually:
Phase 1 (2 weeks duration)

•   constant fever (over104° F or 39°C).
•   rash on chest, tummy and genitals
•   swollen tongue covered with white fur and red bumps
•   swollen palms and soles (usually of dark red color)
•   swollen lymph nodes
•   eyes and lips reddening (lips are usually cracked)
•   severe sore throat

Phase 2

•   large skin peeling on the feet and hands
•   vomiting
•   diarrhea
•   pain in joins and abdomen

If any of the enumerated symptoms are noticed in your kid, call the doctor immediately. When your child is diagnosed with Kawasaki disease and treated within first 10 days after appearance of symptoms, the illness passes away.
What complications may arise?
In case the disease is not treated in time, there appears risk of complications such as vasculitis (or blood vessels inflammation), arrhythmias (disorder of the heartbeat rhythm). All these complications are hazardous for the heart and its normal functioning.
Therefore, when starting treatment, your doctor will probably order echocardiogram (to monitor heart function), blood and urine tests (to detect other diseases which may occur as complications after Kawasaki illness)
How to treat Kawasaki disease?
Common treatment of Kawasaki disease is giving intravenous doses of purified antibodies which are called gamma globulin. This medicine will help your kid’s immune system to fight the infection. If there appears a risk of affecting the heart, the child is likely to be given a high dose of aspirin.