September 2014: Our 3 yr old daughter, Samantha, came home with a 102 fever and rash covering her back and abdomen. Fever not responding to tylenol. Went to ped next day. Red throat, rapid strep test was negative but treated it as strep with scarlet fever. Had strawberry tongue, peeling/raw anal area. 2 days later, not responding to rx, fever ongoing, returned to ped. Received rocephin shot, still maintaining the scarlet fever diagnosis. Now lips are peeling/bleeding. Took her to the ER the same night as fever was over 104. I mentioned to the ER doc the KD symptoms (knew of KD, as a friend had it in the past) and I was laughed at. He diagnoses her with tonsillitis, brings fever down to 100, and gets penicillin shot. I again bring her back to ped 36 hrs later, agree she meets the criteria for KD, and he admits her. She now has a swollen lymph node in neck. Each day new symptoms would present. The attending ped and infectious disease also agreed on KD, but by this time her fever subsided on its own. IVIG was started on day 7, no heart damage, subsequent echos were normal. 

June 2016: Started with low grade fever, then what appeared to be pink eye, was given eye drops. Went back to school and was feeling better. Two days later, fever at 104,. Went back to ped, he was concerned with the fevers and prior history of KD: strep negative, ear slightly red, still high fever. She did not improve with amoxicillin. Took her to the ER the next day due to high fevers, lethargic . Ran bloodwork: tested + for mycoplasma pneumonia, throat red. Fever is still high. ER started her on Zithromax. Elevated CRP and sed rate. Went to ped again the following day, still high fever, not eating, sleeping a lot. Says give time for Zithromax to work. Went back to ER the next day, 105 fever. Throat red, strawberry tongue, lips getting dry and wanting to crack. Had all the classic KD symptoms. CRP and sed rate higher than Sunday's bloodwork. Gave Rocephin. Admitted to hospital. No rash, no peeling. Uncontrolled fever over a week+, very congested nasally, Cracked lips, elevated inflammation markers. Atypical KD diagnosis was made, and received IVIG that evening on day 8. Normal echos, no aneurysm. 

Samantha is now in 5th grade with a clean bill of health, with no heart damage. She is an avid tennis player, and plays 5 days/week.

I was diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease right before I turned two at day 10. I had a fever of 103 for those 10 days, then got the strawberry tongue and the swollen lymph node, followed by the rash and red lips and eyes – textbook KD. I had echos and stress tests done up until I was 10 when they determined my heart looked healthy.

I am now 23 years old, and the only lasting affect is my compromised immune system from the gamma globulin infusion. I am currently pursuing my dream and am a full-time middle school teacher while still pursuing my bachelor’s degree. I also coach Jr. High basketball - which is one of the many sports I played growing up, and I have found a new love for playing cornhole in my free time. I never thought I could do everything I am doing and be who I am today, but anything is possible when you put your mind to it!