Kawasaki disease (KD), an uncommon and serious childhood illness, is caused by a virus. KD most often affects the heart and lungs. In severe cases, it can lead to death. KD is most often diagnosed in children between the ages of 3 and 9 years old. KD is not contagious from person to person. Kawasaki disease is most commonly found in countries in Asia, including Japan.
There is no known cure for KD. However, treatment focuses on supporting the child's...