pox The joints become swollen, warm, stiff, and mildly to moderately painful but not usually red. The neck is affected in 50 percent of the cases. Arthritis may appear months before or after other signs of illness, such as fever, irritability, loss of appetite, and a fine pink rash. Arthritis associated with acute rheumatic fever usually affects many joints, which become red, swollen, and extremely tender. Other symptoms of general illness (including fever) are also present. Infectious (purulent) arthritis is an inflammation within a joint caused by various bacterial diseases (including staphylococcal, streptococcal, pneumococcal, and salmonella infections). This type of arthritis most often occurs in infants less than one year old. In older children and adults, it can be caused by puncture wounds near the joints. In this type of arthritis, the joint is tender, swollen, and red. The child usually has a fever. Inflamed, swollen In allergic arthritis the joints are stiff, swollen, and red, but pain is slight. The disease is caused by an allergic reaction to insect stings, Bone Synovial Normal joint Rheumatoid arthritis ri°int the juncture where the ends oj two or more bones meet, vrtilage (elastic tissue) cushions and protects the bones with the aid of nous joint fluids in the synovial cavity, which is lined and lubricated sun thin membrane culled the synovium. In rheumatoid arthritis, the destVlUm becomes swollen and inflamed. The inflammation eventually cart7°yS the cartila9e As scar tissue gradually replaces the damaged "age, the joint becomes misshapen and rigid.? medications, foods, or small particles inhaled from the air. It is generally accompanied by hives. Postviral arthritis occurs after an illness caused by a virus. The symptoms are similar to those from other causes of arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Postviral arthritis corrects itself without treatment. Arthritis of rubella occurs as a complication of rubella (German measles) or as a reaction to rubella vaccine, especially in older children. Arthritis of rubella usually corrects itself without treatment and usually causes no permanent damage. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Arthritis should be considered whenever there is pain and a limited ability to move any joint, unless there has been a physical injury to the joint. Deciding if a child has arthritis is best left to the doctor. HOME CARE No home treatment is safe until a doctor's diagnosis has been made. Trying to treat the condition at home may only delay proper treatment. Also, home treatment may make diagnosis more difficult for the doctor. If your doctor is not immediately available, painrelievers containing aspirin or acetaminophen will temporarily reduce the discomfort. Rest or immobilize the affected joints. PRECAUTIONS • Infectious arthritis is an emergency, and delay of treatment for 24 hours may result in permanent damage to a joint. • Rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever require prompt treatment to minimize damage but are not considered emergencies. three day