All of the information below is cited from the International Still's Disease Foundation.
Below the information is a link to take you to more detailed information. What is stills disease?Still’s disease is a form of arthritis that is characterized by high spiking fevers and evanescent (transient) salmon-colored rash (view pictures of the Still’s rash). Still’s disease was first described in children, but it is now known to occur, much less commonly, in adults (in whom it is referred to as Adult-onset Still’s disease, AOSD).
What causes still's disease?There have been a number of schools of thought. One is that Still’s disease is due to infection with a microbe. Another concept is that Still’s disease is a hypersensitive or autoimmune disorder. In truth, the cause of Still’s disease is still not known.
What are the symptoms of still's disease?Patients with Still’s disease usually present with systemic (body wide) symptoms. Extreme fatigue can accompany waves of high fevers that rise to 104 degrees F (41 degrees C) or even higher and rapidly return to normal levels or below. A faint salmon-colored skin rash characteristically comes and goes and usually does not itch (picture of the Still’s rash). There is commonly swelling of the lymph glands, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and sore throat. Some patients develop inflammation of the lungs (pleuritis) or around the heart (pericarditis) with occasional fluid accumulation around the lungs (pleural effusion) or heart (pericardial effusion). Although the arthritis may initially be overlooked because of the impressive nature of the systemic symptoms, everyone with Still’s disease eventually develops joint pain and swelling. This usually involves many joints (polyarticular arthritis). Any joint can be affected, although there are preferential patterns of joint involvement in Still’s disease.
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