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Journalism of Courage
Comedian Munawar Faruqui recently opened up about a deeply personal struggle involving his son, Mikael, during an emotional conversation on Janice Sequeira’s podcast.
He shared how Mikael was diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease, a rare inflammatory illness affecting blood vessels, when he was just one and a half years old. The diagnosis came at a time when Munawar was financially strained, with each life-saving injection costing Rs 25,000.
Reflecting on that difficult time, Munawar said, “That situation scares me. My son was one-and-a-half years old back then. He fell ill, and for 2-3 days, his condition didn’t improve. After taking him to the hospital, we discovered he had Kawasaki disease. Three injections were required, each costing Rs 25,000. I needed Rs 75,000 but had only Rs 700-800 in my wallet.”
Kawasaki Disease is a rare condition first identified by Japanese pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki. It predominantly affects children under five years of age, though it can occur up to age 15. Its exact cause remains unknown, but it is suspected to be triggered by certain viral infections.
According to Dr Arvind Kumar, Director of Pediatrics at Fortis, Shalimar Bagh, symptoms of Kawasaki Disease include:
If left untreated, the disease can progress to affect the coronary arteries, potentially causing long-term heart complications.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cases with symptoms similar to Kawasaki Disease were reported among children in India, with hospitals in cities like Mumbai and Delhi reporting cases. “In my experience, on average, there are about two to three children diagnosed with the disease in six months,” Dr Kumar had said in a conversation to indianexpress.com, while explaining the disease at the time.
According to Dr Abhishek Chopra, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals in New Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh, Kawasaki disease disproportionately affects children because their immune systems are still developing. This makes them more susceptible to abnormal inflammatory responses when exposed to environmental triggers, such as infections. KD is rarely seen in adults, he said, possibly due to the maturation of the immune system over time, which reduces the likelihood of the hyperactive immune reaction characteristic of KD.
He emphasised that early detection and treatment are crucial to avoiding severe complications. Kawasaki Disease is now commonly diagnosed within three to four days of the onset of symptoms, reducing the risk of long-term damage. Treatment often includes intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy and aspirin to control inflammation and prevent blood clot formation.
For parents and caregivers, recognising the symptoms early and seeking immediate medical attention could be lifesaving.
Dr Kumar said Kawasaki disease is not contagious and can be effectively treated, if diagnosed early. With timely medical intervention, most children recover fully within six to eight weeks without long-term effects. However, untreated KD can cause irreversible damage to the coronary arteries, leading to lifelong cardiovascular complications. Follow-up care, including echocardiograms and regular heart monitoring, is essential for children with cardiac involvement.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
