Diagnosis
Diagnosing Kawasaki:
Since Kawasaki cannot be detected with a single tests, doctors usually diagnose it by evaluating the symptoms and ruling out other conditions. Fever lasting for 5 or more days is the most common symptom of the disease. The otjher symptoms include severe redness in eyes, body rashes, swollen lymph nodes and changes in fingers and toes.
Blood tests are required for the diagnosis of jaundice. These determine whether the liver is diseased and if there is any abnormal breakdown and destruction of the red blood cells. The urine is examined for the presence of bile salts. ELISA and stool test is conducted to find whether the virus is present or not.
A child is diagnosed of measles when he develops red rashes, Koplik's spots, cold, cough and conjunctivitis. there is a decrease in the amount of WBCs in the blood. Virus isolation is technically difficult. Four fold increase of the measles antibody is used to diagnose measles.
The Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC), a new technique is now in extensive use. Presence of asexual forms of the parasitePlasmodium in peripheral blood smears can be used to diagnose the disease. Mild anaemia can also be used as a supportive evidence.
Clinical presentation, knowledge of the area in which the person lives, and laboratory investigations form the basis of the diagnosis of Dengue fever. Low white blood cell count, a low platelet count, and elevation of certain enzymes.low white blood cell count, a low platelet count, and elevation of certain enzymes may be shown on the blood tests. Detection of antigen is possible.
Doctors may identify symptoms such as red blisters, low temperature fever, giddiness etc. to diagnose chicken pox. There are no single tests to detedt chicken pox.
Typical rash during physical examination is witnessed by the physician to diagnose the Fifth disease. Blood tests reveal the presence of parvovirus in case of infected persons.
The list of medical tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Meningitis includes:
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- CSF culture
- Blood culture - Blood tests for bacteria
- Meningococcal rash pressure test - test a skin rash for the "failure to whiten under pressure" property of a
- meningococcal rash.
Lyme disease may be difficult to diagnose because many of its symptoms mimic those of other disorders
Tests for lyme disease are:
- Lyme antibody blood test
- Lyme antibody spinal tap test
Encephalitis is also very difficult to diagnose. Doctors can take an Electro- encephalo graph to detect the electrical activities of the brain and diagnose the disease.
Inflenza can even be diagnosed at home by recognizing th following symptoms:
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
- Sneezing
- Runny noses