Children, too, suffer from arthritis and an early diagnosis and early start of treatment can help them lead a healthy life, a doctor said.
There needs to be greater awareness about paediatric arthritis as most people think only adults and the elderly suffer from the disease, said Jigna Bathia, a fellow in training, paediatric rheumatology, at the Institute of Child Health.
“Like in adults, in children, too, arthritis can be a chronic disease. They may need medication into adulthood or through their life. But early detection and early onset of treatment can help them lead a healthy life,” Bathia told The Telegraph.
Some of the symptoms include swelling of any joint that persists for long, morning pain and stiffened limbs or joints. Parents should take their children to a doctor if the symptoms persist.
Bathia also spoke about children suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), one of whose symptoms is swelling of bones and joints and prolonged fever.
“If someone has SLE and if that remains untreated for long, that can have serious consequences,” said Bathia, stressing that SLE could affect various organs.
Bathia told the story of a 22-year-old woman, Apurba Sengupta, who was diagnosed with SLE when she was 13. She had multiple disease flares, along with infections in the lungs and the brain. She had to remain hospitalised for long.
“Today, she is a state-level inter-college chess champion. She is into other sports, too,” said Bathia.