Thomas’ story: Overcoming Kawasaki, a rare pediatric heart disease

Thomas after his second round of treatment for Kawasaki It took three trips to the doctor’s office and consults with four different providers for Valerie Flynn to finally get to the bottom of her son’s suffering. Thomas’s confluence of symptoms was puzzling: a high fever that wouldn’t go away for five days, all-over itchiness with a head-to-toe rash; bloodshot eyes and absolute exhaustion. “Thomas’ doctors kept telling me it must be a virus and to give him Benadryl for the itch and Tylenol for the fever, but those did nothing to help,” says Valerie. “That’s very scary as a mom, to see all these professionals stumped. I was that crazy mom who brought him back three times and called multiple times a day. I knew something was seriously wrong and just wanted them to figure it out and help him. I knew something was seriously wrong and just wanted [Thomas’ doctors] to figure it out and help him.” Five days after his first office visit, Thomas, 5, was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, a rare and serious illness characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels. Kawasaki affects many different areas of the body: hands, feet, whites of the eyes, mouth, lips, throat, lymph nodes and skin. Without quick treatment, Kawasaki can damage the heart’s coronary arteries. Thomas’ pediatrician recommended his family seek care at Boston Children’s Hospital and immediately referred them, sending the family straight to the emergency room. “I though...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Diseases & Conditions Annette Baker Dr. Jane Newburger Heart Center Kawasaki Disease Program Source Type: news