Diseases

Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome

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A syndrome of unknown origin that mainly affects young children. It causes fever, reddening of the eyes (conjunctivitis) and lips and mucous membranes of the mouth, ulcerative gum disease (gingivitis), swollen glands in the neck (cervical lymphadenopathy), and a rash that is raised and bright red (maculoerythematous) in a glove-and-sock fashion over the hands and feet.

SYMPTOMS

A fever that is often is higher than 102.2 f (39 c) and lasts more than three days
Extremely red eyes (conjunctivitis) without a thick discharge
A rash on the main part of the body (trunk) and in the genital area
Red, dry, cracked lips and an extremely red, swollen tongue (strawberry 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

CAUSES

No one knows what causes kawasaki disease, but scientists don't believe the disease is contagious from person to person. A number of theories link the disease to bacteria, viruses or other environmental factors, but none has been proved. Certain genes may increase your child's susceptibility to kawasaki disease.