What is the Difference Between Coxsackie and Kawasaki Disease?

Coxsackie and Kawasaki diseases are two distinct medical conditions that predominantly affect infants and children. The main differences between them include their causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Causes:

• Coxsackie disease is caused by an infection of Coxsackieviruses, such as Coxsackie A and Coxsackie B, which belong to the Enterovirus genus.
• Kawasaki disease is triggered by a bacterial or viral infection or is linked to other environmental factors. The exact cause is still unknown.

Symptoms:

• Coxsackie disease symptoms include the common cold, mild red rash, diarrhea, sore throat, meningitis, encephalitis, chest pain, and heart inflammation.
• Kawasaki disease symptoms include a fever that lasts at least 5 days, red eyes without discharge, red and cracked lips or strawberry tongue, rash, swelling or redness of the hands or feet, large lymph nodes in the neck, and possibly coronary aneurysms or coronary enlargement.

Treatments:

• There is no specific treatment for Coxsackievirus infections, but symptoms can be treated with acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
• Kawasaki disease treatment typically involves intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin to reduce inflammation and prevent complications, such as coronary artery disease.

In summary, Coxsackie and Kawasaki diseases are different medical conditions with distinct causes, symptoms, and treatments. While Coxsackie disease is caused by a viral infection and has a range of symptoms, Kawasaki disease is triggered by an unknown factor and primarily affects young children with symptoms that include fever, rash, and inflammation.

Comparative Table: Coxsackie vs Kawasaki Disease

Coxsackievirus and Kawasaki disease are two distinct medical conditions that predominantly affect infants and children. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Coxsackievirus is a contagious infection caused by Coxsackieviruses, which can lead to various conditions in different body parts, such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, herpangina (infections of the throat), and more. On the other hand, Kawasaki disease is a condition associated with fevers and mainly affects children, with symptoms such as a fever that lasts at least 5 days, red eyes without discharge, red and cracked lips or strawberry tongue, rash, swelling/redness/peeling of the hands or feet, and large lymph nodes of the neck.