How long should a patient with Kawasaki disease continue taking aspirin?

For a patient with Kawasaki disease, the correct duration for taking aspirin is typically until they have had an echocardiogram at approximately 6-8 weeks after the onset of illness. This is crucial because Kawasaki disease can lead to coronary artery aneurysms and other cardiac complications, necessitating close monitoring.

During the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, aspirin is administered to reduce inflammation and to decrease the risk of thrombosis in inflamed vessels. After the acute phase, the echocardiogram is used to assess for any vascular complications related to the disease. The continuation of aspirin therapy is hence contingent upon the findings from the echocardiogram; if there are no complications, the need for aspirin may be reassessed based on the patient's condition.

Continuing aspirin indefinitely would be inappropriate without indications of persistent cardiovascular risk, and stopping it too early may expose the child to potential complications if there are underlying cardiac issues that haven’t been resolved. The other options do not appropriately reflect the standard management practices regarding cardiac surveillance and medication duration in Kawasaki disease.