sJIA stands for Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. It is a rare autoinflammatory disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body. Unlike regular arthritis, it does not just affect joints, it can affect organs, cause high fevers, and cause extreme fatigue. Symptoms can change very quickly. A child can seem completely fine and then be seriously ill within hours. Medication helps manage the disease but does not cure it. On most days, kids with sJIA function well and want to be treated like any other child.
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Rare Disease
Fewer than 1 in 10,000 children are affected
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Whole Body, Not Just Joints
Can affect organs, muscles, skin, and more
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Unpredictable Flares
Fine one hour, seriously ill the next
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Requires Medication
Managed but not cured, ongoing treatment
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Invisible Disability
Kids often look healthy while in significant pain or exhaustion. "You don't look sick" is one of the hardest things they hear.
Feel free to screenshot, print, or share this card with anyone in your child's life.
The more people who understand, the safer and more supported your child will be.