When you hear the term “arthritis,” the first image that comes to mind may be a frail elderly person who has trouble opening up a jar of pickles or tying their shoes. When most people think of arthritis, they don’t think about kids, but the truth is, anyone of any age can get it, and juvenile arthritis in children is more common than you think.

It’s a common misconception that only “old” people are affected by arthritis, and it’s for this reason that July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, the focus of which is to spread the word and raise funds for juvenile arthritis. Though many people don’t realize that kids can also get arthritis, nearly 300,000 children have been diagnosed with some form of juvenile arthritis, which can be a significant burden on their young lives.

A child’s immune system isn’t fully formed until about age 18, and this is what leaves them vulnerable to juvenile arthritis, an autoimmune disease. As an autoimmune disease, juvenile arthritis causes the body’s normal defense system to attack itself, which compromises a child’s ability to fight normal diseases and leaves them open to further complications.

Juvenile arthritis is actually an umbrella term that’s used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in young children. It can appear in children as young as six months old and as late as 18 years old, and though each type of juvenile arthritis has its own unique features, the key symptoms are joint pain, swelling, redness and warmth that doesn’t go away over time.

Some forms of juvenile arthritis affect the musculoskeletal system, but oddly, joint symptoms may be minor or nonexistent. It can also affect the eyes, skin, muscles and even gastrointestinal tract. The most common form is called juvenile idiopathic arthritis, often referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This type of juvenile arthritis affects about 50,000 children in the U.S. and is the result of the immune system mistakenly attacking the body’s tissues, which causes inflammation and symptoms.

When children show signs of juvenile arthritis, some parents assume the swollen joints and fever may just be the flu, or that a rash is from an allergic reaction. It’s for this reason that parents should be vigilant and know the possible indications of juvenile arthritis when these symptoms continue longer than expected.

The Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF) focuses part of their research on juvenile arthritis, and every year they give out the Kelly Award, a $100,000 grant to a researcher focused solely on juvenile arthritis treatments and cures. Donations to the ANRF this month help those involved make significant progress in their research while also helping to increase awareness on juvenile arthritis.

To learn more about juvenile arthritis awareness or to make a donation the ANRF, click here. We hope you’ve learned something about juvenile arthritis and that you stay alert about signs that may be worth looking into for your child. For any pain you may be experiencing, CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services in Laurel, Hyattsville, Glenn Dale/Bowie and Parkville, MD can help. Call us at 301-853-0093 to schedule an appointment.