Did you know that there are over 6,000 children and young adults with some form of arthritis in Australia?
The 18th of March is a special day to remember these kids and help raise awareness about juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
The ultimate aim of WORD Day is to help in early diagnoses, and referral to specialised paediatric rheumatologists to get the treatment needed.
According to Arthritis Queensland JIA is one of the most common, as well as serious, persistent medical conditions of childhood.
Some common symptoms include:
- joint pain and swelling
- joint stiffness
- fatigue
- skin rashes
- fever
- generally feeling unwell.
- Some forms can even lead to inflammation of the eyes (uveitis) and other organs.
These symptoms impact on normal everyday things like school, sports and making friends.
The causes of JIA are not yet fully understood. There is no single test to diagnose JIA, and it often involves a number of steps. Referral to a rheumatologist is essential to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment.
If you would like to find out more about what WORD Day is all about and what you can do to help visit: Arthritis Queensland
Hashtag your social media posts with #WORDday2022 to help raise awareness for these incredible kids.