Familial Mediterranean fever
Familial Mediterranean fever is an inflammatory disease that causes recurrent fever and painful inflammation in the abdomen, lungs, and joints.
Mediterranean fever is a hereditary disease that is common in Mediterranean nations - Jews, Arabs, Armenians, Turks Despite this, fever can occur in people of any nationality
Mediterranean fever is often diagnosed in childhood The disease cannot be cured, but the signs and symptoms can be alleviated and sometimes prevented with medical treatment
Familial Mediterranean fever is caused by a genetic mutation that is passed from parents to their children A gene mutation leads to a violation of the regulation of the inflammatory state in the body
During fever, a gene mutation is observed in the MEFV gene A variety of mutations in this gene may cause Mediterranean fever Some mutations are associated with severe cases, others with a milder course
Familial Mediterranean fever is an inherited autosomal recessive disease, which means that the child must have the defective gene from each parent.
Signs and symptoms often appear in childhood Symptoms are episodic, appear within 1-3 days
Signs and symptoms include:
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Aching, swollen joints
- Constipation, diarrhea
- Red rash on legs, especially knees Symptom-free episodes sometimes last a short time, a week or longer, months
When to see a doctor
If you or your child has sudden symptoms such as shortness of breath or loss of consciousness, call 112
See your doctor if you have a sudden fever with pain in the abdomen, chest, or joints
