Treating Kawasakis Disease
March 14, 2009 8:46 pm HEALTH
TAGS: illness, IVIG, kawasakis disease
The long run of Kawasakis Disease and Important Care For The Kawasaki Disease Patient. Is a Special Diet Needed? Not so much as early diagnosis, treatment, and keeping the patient comfortable and looked after.
How to Treat Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki disease can be treated with right medications like any other illness. Depending on its seriousness, long-term care such as continued medication, repeated testing, and limited physical activity may be required for the child affected by this disease.
Early Discovery
If Kawasaki disease is treated early, heart damage and blood vessel will be prevented or minimuzed. There is a lesser risk of suffering from heart disease and aneurysms if, for example, kids with Kawasaki disease are treated within ten days after the initial signs of the disease. A cardiologist or a pediatrician is the best person who can attend and treat this. Acting quickly is vital!
Medications
Medications used in treating Kawasaki disease include aspirin, intravenous immunoglobulin, and anticoagulants.
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
IVIG is used to lessen the inflammation of blood vessels. It is usually given in one dose infused through a vein, for 8 to 12 hours. When IVG is used, the patient is usually required to spend time in the hospital for about 24 hours. This treatment works best if it is given to the patient before the tenth day of his/her fever. If a first dose is not able to reduce the fever and inflammation, a second IVG dose is therefore needed.
Aspirin therapy
A high-dose aspirin is initially given to ease fever and inflammation. If complications do not develop, smaller doses are given for two to three months to lower the possibility of blood clots, which is really dangerous. Since Kawasaki disease is very dangerous, aspirin should be given only under the guidance of a doctor. If the child develops chickenpox or flu (influenza) while taking aspirin or has been exposed to these diseases, a doctor must be consulted right away.
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants may be given if the child has developed a large aneurysm. Similar to aspirins, anticoagulants also help prevent the formation of further blood clots.
Shortly after the initial treatment using anticoagulants, the child’s fever and inflammation usually improves. However, she/he may still suffer from irritability, loss of appetite, a state of lethargy. The child may also manifest deep lines across his or her fingernails— an illness referred to as Beau’s lines. It may take some weeks before the patient feels completely well.
Follow-up treatment
If echocardiogram results are normal, further care may no longer be needed. However, if these test results show changes in the coronary arteries, the attending doctor may require long-term care of the disease. This care may include:
• Regular tests annually or every 3 to 5 years
• Consistent low-dose aspirin treatment or therapy
• Few physical activities
• Annual flu vaccine
IVIG treatment may interfere with the effectiveness of immunizations against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and chickenpox. Thus, children should wait before being given MMR and chickenpox immunization after they have recieved their IVIG treatment - THIS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH YOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
TAGS: illness, IVIG, kawasakis disease
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March 15th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Everyone recognizes that we have a real problem with health care in our country. Long-term care is going to become a bigger problem and where is the money going to come from if the government wants to take care of everyone? Is this possible? The problem is that some people who don’t want to plan for themselves think that by some miracle, all will be well. It’s not happening. Private insurance is a solid plan to cover this inevitable expense. Seek the counsel of a Long-Term Care Specialist.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
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September 6th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
You are more than welcome to write an informative article on the subject of healthcare in our country. I would be happy to post your insight and expertise on the matter right here on the moneyandhealth.com blog. Thanks, do come again, comment when you have time.