Diagnosis PFAPA

Finally after Jenna has missed more school last year than anyone in her class we have a diagnosis.

Her pediatrician says that she has 

Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Adenitis Syndrome (PFAPA)

WHAT IS PFAPA?

This syndrome includes recurrent episodes of fever with aphthous stomatitis (mouth sores) and pharyngitis (sore throat with redness). Occasionally, there also may be exudate (white patches on the tonsils) and usually the lymph nodes in the neck are enlarged (adenitis). Episodes of fever start suddenly and last for 3-7 days. Fevers occur routinely every few weeks; often, families know the exact day when an attack will start. Some children have other symptoms like joint pain, abdominal pain, rash, headache, vomiting or diarrhea. Children are completely well between attacks.
The disease may last for several years but usually will resolve by itself in the second decade of life. Over time, the time between the attacks will increase. Children with PFAPA continue to grow and develop normally.

FAST FACTS

• PFAPA is a syndrome that consists of recurrent attacks of fever, sore throat, mouth sores and swelling of the glands in the neck.
• Use of steroids at the start of an episode can stop it, but also may shorten the time to the next episode.
• PFAPA usually resolves spontaneously during the second decade of life.
• Tonsillectomy may cure the disease.

Now we can help her deal with the fevers better and hopefully have a much better school year as she enters first grade.

Do you know anyone who has experienced this before?  If you do, please share what you know.

Thanks.