HOUSTON – Houston-area doctors are reporting cases of a scary-looking, rare disease that can affect young children.
Dr. Angelica Higgins at the Kelsey-Seybold Pasadena clinic has seen cases of Kawasaki disease, which causes inflammation of the arteries and affects the lymph nodes. Signs include high fever and peeling skin, but doctors can prevent any lasting damage by treating the disease within 10 days of the onset of symptoms.
Higgins also reported cases of swimmer's ear and hives.
In Fort Bend County, Dr. Phong Van-Liaw has seen a few cases of cellulitis, a bacterial infection that's caused by insect bites. The doctor has also seen many cases of viral tonsillitis.
MinuteClinic physician assistant Kristin Fitzgerald has seen urinary tract infections in women and upper respiratory infections. Swimmer's ear, strep throat and flu-like viral illnesses with joint pain, fever headaches and body aches are also going around.
Fitzgerald said there are also patients coming in with viral, allergic and bacterial sinusitis.