A chronic condition often presenting with rash, swollen hands and strawberry tongue is indicative of which disease?

Kawasaki disease is a pediatric condition characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body, which can lead to serious complications, particularly involving the heart. The classic symptoms of Kawasaki disease include a high fever lasting at least five days, rash, conjunctivitis, changes in the lips and oral cavity such as a "strawberry tongue," and swollen lymph nodes. The rash often appears in various forms, including erythematous patches or persistent red spots.

The presence of a "strawberry tongue"—which involves a red tongue with prominent papillae—and swollen hands are key features that aid in diagnosing Kawasaki disease. These clinical signs, when observed alongside other hallmark symptoms like prolonged fever, help differentiate Kawasaki disease from other conditions that may present with similar signs or symptoms.

In contrast, while rheumatic fever has its own unique symptoms—like carditis and migratory arthritis—it does not typically present with a strawberry tongue or the same rash pattern. Infectious mononucleosis involves symptoms like fatigue and sore throat but lacks the distinct rash and tongue features of Kawasaki disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus can present with rashes as well, but the combination of strawberry tongue and swollen hands is not characteristic of this autoimmune disease.

Thus,