Living with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease
A noncancerous lymph node condition with swollen neck glands, mild fever, and night sweats.
Understanding Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease
The main symptoms are swollen lymph nodes in the neck, mild fever, and night sweats. Less common symptoms include weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and sore throat. It can occur at a variety of ages.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Low-grade fever
- Night sweats
- Tiredness
- Skin rash
- Mouth ulcers
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The exact cause is unknown. Infections and autoimmune causes have been suggested.
Also known as: histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis; histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis; histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenopathy; kikuchi disease; kikuchi necrotizing lymphadenitis; kikuchi-fujimoto's disease
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.
Explore research for Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease
Explore actively recruiting Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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