In a surprising turn of events, Mumbai has started reported symptoms that are found to be similar to the Kawasaki disease amongst the young patients who have been infected with the coronavirus. Earlier, similar symptoms were noticed in young children in the West but in a first, these are being reported in India.
Kawasaki disease: What is it?
The cause of the Kawasaki disease is unknown. However, scientists have long opined that the disease is not contagious. This disease is a leading cause of acquired heart diseases in children. The heart complications include inflammation of blood vessels, usually the coronary arteries, that supply blood to the heart, inflammation of the heart muscles and heart valve problems.
The symptoms for the Kawasaki include rashes, red bloodshot eyes, swelling and tenderness of glands on one side of the neck, swollen hands and feet, swollen and cracked lips with a strawberry-like tongue with rough red spots, irritability and fussiness and peeling of skin on the fingers and toes. Furthermore, symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain can also develop.
More than 4,200 children are diagnosed with the Kawasaki disease every year in the United States of America. It is one of the leading cause of acquired heart diseases in infants and children in the US. However, if recognized and treated early, the child can feel better in a couple of days with a low likelihood of long term heart issues. However, if left untreated, it can develop into serious complications.
Kawasaki and COVID-19
Most kids that are showing symptoms of Kawasaki are showing so after two-three weeks of testing COVID-19 positive. It is mostly kids under the age group of 5 that were showing symptoms of Kawasaki. However, now in the case of COVID-19 kids, even kids that are in the age group of 10-14 years too are showing these symptoms.
The connection between the two diseases is intriguing the interests of many researchers who are trying to ascertain the link and a potential way to treat it.
Share
Tweet
