A WYTHALL couple are hoping to raise awareness of a rare disease which if left untreated can be fatal after their two-year-old daughter was taken seriously ill.

Jon Hubbard and wife Donna feared the worst when daughter Ellie recently developed a number of worrying symptoms.

It was only after almost two weeks that Kawasaki disease was confirmed - a condition which left untreated can kill.

Dad Jon admitted the first thing that came to mind when someone said Kawasaki was the motorbikes.

"That was until we took Ellie to the GP because of a persistent fever and other symptoms," he said.

"The GP referred us straight to Birmingham Children’s Hospital as she suspected Ellie might have Kawasaki disease.

"It was our fourth visit to the GP in 12 days but the first time Kawasaki had been suspected. Previous to that she was initially diagnosed with measles.

"I highlighted the fact one of Ellie's fingers were peeling and this is what finally alerted them to Kawasaki."

The rare condition mainly affects young children – up to 80 per cent of cases occur in under fives.

The main signs of Kawasaki include a high temperature lasting more than five days, a rash, cracked lips, swollen hands and feet, and bloodshot/swollen eyes.

Another key symptom is peeling skin on the fingers and toes.

In the UK it affects around eight in 100,000 children but the exact cause is unknown.

It causes blood vessels to become inflamed and swollen, which can lead to complications in the coronary arteries such as blood clots, leading to heart attacks or strokes.

Around five per cent of patients experience long term problems.

However, if not treated in time the chances of complications increase to 25 per cent.

In one per cent of cases it can be fatal making Kawasaki one of the leading causes of heart disease in the UK.

Jon said: "After a number of tests the consultants confirmed Ellie’s diagnosis, and began treatment. After three days in hospital and various blood tests and heart scans, she was discharged.

"It's too early to tell at this stage what the effects will be. In the short term we have to be vary wary of any potential issue with the heart - shortness of breath, pains etc. We won't know until the end of the month whether there has been long term damage to Ellie's heart.

"Needless to say we're in fear of the worst but we're hopeful that we caught it in time and the medication helped."

The couple are hoping to raise awareness of the condition.

"There’s very little known about the disease and it cannot be prevented, but if we’d have known what to look out for, we would have pushed the GP and Ellie may have received treatment within those important first 10 days," he said.

"Out of everyone I've spoken to only two people had heard of Kawasaki. All it would take is for parents to be aware of the signs, and most importantly, if a fever lasts more than five days it may well be more than just a virus.

"If your child has had fever for at least five days, and any of the symptoms push for further investigation. It may well be nothing, but being cautious is far better than the potential lasting consequences of Kawasaki disease."

For more on the condition, visit www.kssg.org.uk.