Mnemonic for Kawasaki Disease

One of the best ways to memorize anything is with a mnemonic device, but it could get tricky with Kawasaki disease, which occurs primarily in young children, with symptoms that include swelling of the glands, a rash and sometimes damage to the heart. This mnemonic device involves remembering where Kawasaki disease has the worst effect: M'Heart.

"M"

• The "M" stands for the mucous membranes, which become inflamed and red inside of the mouth, nose and throat.

"H"

• "H" is for the high fever that accompanies coming down with the disease.

"E"

• "E" is for the eyes, which become inflamed with conjunctivitis.

"A"

• "A" is for the arthralgia, or joint pain, that is usually indicative of the presence of the disease. And a way to remember "arthraglia" is just to remember arthritis.

"R"

• "R" stands for rash, which can take many forms on the body of the patient.

"T"

• "T" is for the tongue, which can become coated with red bumps, sometimes called "strawberry tongue." Or if you want to get optimistic, "T" can also stand for treatable, since most recover from Kawasaki disease without any significant problems.