Lyme disease, a tick-born infection that affects more than 27,000 people in the United States each year, can cause the disorder arthritis. Lyme disease occurs most often in people living in the northeastern and midwestern United States. Children and adolescents, especially boys between five and 19-years-old, have some of the highest rates of Lyme disease infection.
Knee Pain, Swelling and Stiffness
Arthritis is a later sign of infection with Lyme disease, which often occurs months and years after the child's initial deer tick bite. Lyme arthritis often causes pain and swelling in one joint of the body, frequently the knee, which lasts for days or weeks.
Fever
When a child with Lyme disease has an attack of arthritis, he may also develop a fever, in addition to joint pain symptoms.
Increased Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates
Children who have Lyme arthritis may also have increased erythrocyte sedimentation rates. Erythrocyte sedimentation is a test that doctors use to measure inflammation in the body. An increased rate typically means the child has a condition that is causing the inflammation.
Recurrence
Children with Lyme arthritis can have recurring attacks of arthritis if they do not receive treatment. One to two people out of 10 with Lyme disease develop chronic arthritis.
Treatment
Symptoms of Lyme arthritis in children can be relieved with antibiotics and pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Children whose symptoms don't go away after treatment should visit a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
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