International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day, Sunday 26 January

January 24, 2025

Sunday 26 January is International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day.

Kawasaki Disease always presents with a persistent fever of 5 days or more. There are some other symptoms which might appear, and which can be helpful to doctors when diagnosing Kawasaki Disease. Sometimes these symptoms might come and go quickly and appear at different times, but it is important to tell your doctor if you see them.

Some symptoms may not appear at all, but if a child has any two of the following symptoms, along with a persistent high fever for 5 days, please THINK Kawasaki Disease.

Symtoms include:

• A rash
• Red, bloodshot eyes (not sticky, like conjunctivitis)
• Sore lips, mouth and a “strawberry” tongue
• Red swollen fingers and toes, which might be tender to touch
• A swollen glands in the neck – often just on one side.

The majority of poorly children will not have Kawasaki Disease – the important thing is to know Kawasaki Disease so you can think Kawasaki Disease when it matters.

The Kawasaki Disease Awareness Animation can be viewed here.