The cause is still unknown and there is no single test or procedure that can confirm the diagnosis, but it is thought to be an infection of some kind. The disease was first diagnosed in 1967 by Japanese doctor Dr Tomisaku Kawasaki.
The symptoms of Kawasaki disease usually occur in three phases. The first "acute" phase is characterised by sudden and often severe symptoms that last between one to two weeks. These include a fever, hardening, reddening and swelling of the hands and feet, a blotchy rash on the body, dry and cracked lips and swollen glands in the neck. The eyes may become red and swollen.
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