Health Tip: Signs That Your Child May Have Juvenile Arthritis

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(HealthDay News) -- Joint pain may be a common complaint among children, but prolonged joint pain accompanied by swelling can be signs of juvenile arthritis.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says common symptoms of juvenile arthritis include:

• Joint pain that is worse in the morning and improves during the day. A child may limp or complain that their hands and feet hurt.
• Swelling in the joints and lymph nodes.
• Irritability, fatigue or apathy toward playing with others.
• A "hot" sensation in the joints, and weakness of the muscles and tissues surrounding the joints.
• A very high fever and a light pink rash, which occur infrequently and tend to go away quickly.

-- Diana Kohnle

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