Still’s Disease Kala Dunn 5-12 4th

How’d It Get There? The cause of Still’s Disease is not yet known. However, there are theories about what causes Still’s Disease. One group believes that Still’s Disease is an hypersensitive autoimmune disorder. Another believes that it is caused by an infection from a microbe There are many other theories about how it comes to affect us.

What’s It Like? Still’s disease is a form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It is not commonly found in adults. If you have Still’s disease you experience a translucent salmon colored skin rash. You do not normally experience itching. Also, you will experience waves of high fevers. Then your temperature will quickly go back to normal or below.

Living With It Still’s Disease causes systemic symptoms. It can cause swelling if the lymph nodes, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and also a sore throat. Some patients have experienced pleuritis and pericarditis. Occasionally fluid accumulates around the heart or lungs causing pleural effusion or pericardial effusion. Eventually everyone with this disease will develop joint pain and swelling.

Treatment There is no way to prevent Still’s Disease because we do not yet know the cause of it. For persistence cases medicine is used that affects the inflammatory aspects of the immune system. Steroid medications are used when the symptoms become to severe. There is research being conducted on this disease and other medications that help. Treatment of Still's Disease is directed toward the individual areas of inflammation. It is controlled using anti-inflammatory drugs. These include many different types of aspirin. They also include other non-steroid drugs.

The rash that is associated with Still’s Disease. Images The rash that is associated with Still’s Disease.

Summary Description: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause: Unknown Symptoms: Systemic: Periods of absence and appearance. Rash, Fever, Inflammation, Fluid Accumulation. Treatment: Different Medications Organs Affected: Lungs, Heart, Spleen, Liver, Pharynx Lymphatic System

Sources "International Still's Disease Foundation." International Still's Disease Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2010. <http://www.stillsdisease.org/>. <http://static.dailystrength.org/groupfiles/6/4/7/4/10004746/g_1593577077.jpg>