What is Stills Disease?
Still’s Disease is a form of arthritis that is characterized by high spiking fevers and evanescent (transient) salmon-colored rash (view pictures of the Still’s rash). Still’s disease was first described in children, but it is now known to occur, much less commonly, in adults (in whom it is referred to as adult-onset Still’s disease).
Still’s disease can be called an adult form of systematic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). British physician George Still observed JRA in children in the late 19th century, but later some doctors noticed that adults could manifest the same symptoms as well. Those usually most at risk for adult Still’s disease were people between the ages of 15-25 and also those between the ages of 36-46 years old. People outside of these age groups can develop or continue to manifest Still’s disease, but it can be said these two age groups are most at risk for developing the condition. This disease remains a puzzle for medical researchers. Cause is unclear and doctors don’t know if the disease results from genetic predilection, or contact with certain viruses or bacteria. However, diagnosis of the condition tends to be fairly easy since the symptoms are fairly standard and unmistakable. Symptoms of Still’s disease include swelling and pain at the joints, and the tendency to spike daily fevers
