Which of the following is NOT a characteristic symptom of Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease is an acute inflammatory condition primarily observed in children, characterized by specific clinical features. Among these are prolonged fever, which is one of the hallmark symptoms, and distinctive presentations such as a strawberry tongue, where the tongue appears red and bumpy, and an erythematous rash that can occur in various forms on different parts of the body.

Cough, on the other hand, is not a characteristic symptom of Kawasaki disease. While children with Kawasaki might have a cough due to coexistent viral infections or other unrelated reasons, it is not a defining feature or symptom used in diagnosing or identifying this condition. The key diagnostic symptoms of Kawasaki disease are those that reflect its systemic vasculitis, including fever, conjunctivitis, changes in oral mucosa, neck lymphadenopathy, and rashes.

Therefore, recognizing that cough is not associated with Kawasaki disease helps clarify the clinical picture of this condition and distinguish it from other respiratory illnesses or conditions that might present similarly in a pediatric setting.