Toddler's Life Saved After 'Tonsillitis' Diagnosis Revealed as Rare Disease
A Scottish toddler's life was saved with just 24 hours to spare after what appeared to be a severe case of tonsillitis was actually diagnosed as a rare and potentially fatal childhood disease.
From Common Symptoms to Critical Diagnosis
Delilah McGeogh, aged two from Paisley, Scotland, endured ten days of illness in July last year that initially presented with symptoms easily mistaken for common childhood ailments. Her mother, Ashleigh, first noticed her daughter developing a persistently high temperature and a swollen, red throat that wouldn't stabilise.
The family's GP initially diagnosed the condition as tonsillitis, prescribing antibiotics and sending them home. However, when Delilah woke with what her mother described as a "golf ball sized lump in her neck", they rushed to Accident and Emergency.
Even at hospital, medics initially attributed the symptoms to a lymph node infection, prescribing another course of antibiotics. It wasn't until days later, when a distinctive red rash appeared on Delilah's palms that began peeling, that the family returned to A&E and she was admitted to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
The Kawasaki Disease Revelation
It was at the Glasgow children's hospital that Delilah received her correct diagnosis: Kawasaki disease, an acute, self-limiting illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and affects approximately eight in every 100,000 children.
Ashleigh recounted the diagnostic process: "Once she got onto the ward the doctors mentioned Kawasaki disease but said there was no test for it - they had to rule out everything else before she could be treated."
The disease presents particular challenges for medical professionals as several symptoms - including rash, high temperature, and strawberry tongue - can easily be mistaken for other viral infections. An estimated 2-3% of untreated cases prove fatal, primarily due to potential heart complications.
Critical Treatment Timeline
Doctors faced a difficult decision as the treatment for Kawasaki disease - intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), a solution of antibodies - can itself cause complications in children. This necessitated ruling out all other possible illnesses first, meaning Delilah's parents had to watch their daughter suffer through worsening symptoms while awaiting confirmation.
When treatment finally began, the response was dramatic. Ashleigh observed: "Within hours of treatment Delilah was like a different child, you could see it working straight away. We couldn't believe how quickly she responded to it."
Medical staff revealed the critical nature of the timing, informing the family that Delilah's condition could have become extremely serious if diagnosed even one day later.
Ongoing Health and Awareness Campaign
While Delilah is now doing well, she continues to undergo regular heart tests and has a weakened immune system as a result of her ordeal. The family has chosen to speak out about their experience to raise awareness of this difficult-to-diagnose condition.
Ashleigh emphasised the importance of parental awareness: "We want other mums and dads to be aware of the symptoms to ensure they get their children treatment as soon as possible. It is incredibly hard to spot but can lead to serious complications if left untreated. If parents know of the symptoms, they can at least ask doctors about it if their child is unwell."
According to NHS guidance, symptoms of Kawasaki disease include a rash, swollen neck glands, dry and cracked red lips, strawberry tongue, red mouth, red and swollen hands and feet, and red eyes. The condition primarily affects children under five years old and requires prompt medical intervention to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
