Arthritis means disease of, or damage to, the joint surfaces.
Occasionally, it is not possible to give a particular name to a form of arthritis in a child. Systemic arthritis - arthritis with fever and rash, particularly in younger children. In this condition, symptoms of fever, rash, swelling of the lymph glands in the neck, under the arms and groin may begin before arthritis becomes obvious. Some children with systemic arthritis may have problems with swollen, painful joints for many years, even into adulthood. Polyarthritis - arthritis affecting many joints, particularly in girls.