Rheumatoid Arthritis/Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Caused by a Vaccine
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease that causes swelling in different parts of the body, most commonly around the joints. When the lining of the joints is inflamed, it causes pain and eventually results in bone loss. Rheumatoid arthritis does not only affect joints; it also causes swelling in other body parts and organs.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, except it only affects children under the age of 16. JRA causes swelling, pain, stiffness, redness, and warmth in the joints of affected children. Like rheumatoid arthritis, JRA can also affect other organs and parts of the body, such as the heart, lungs, and eyes.
RA and JRA Triggered by Vaccines
Many cases where patients developed rheumatoid arthritis and JRA after a vaccine have been reported to VAERS. VAERS, the vaccine adverse event reporting system, is a database that contains reports of negative side-effects following US-approved vaccines. The database is managed by the FDA and CDC, and it is used to detect rare side effects to vaccines that were not caught during clinical trials.
Patients who develop rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis – or a flare-up of rheumatoid arthritis – after receiving a vaccine may be entitled to compensation from the federal government.
IMPORTANT: The information below does NOT apply to injuries from VOVID-19 vaccinations.
How to File a Vaccine Injury Claim
If you came down with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Juvenile RA after getting a vaccine, you may be eligible to receive money from the government through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP).
We can help you find out if you are eligible for compensation and represent you in the Federal Vaccine Court. And you never have to pay us, even if we win your case.
There are no legal costs for a vaccine injury client represented by mctlaw. When your case is over, our law firm gets legal fees and costs paid directly by the Vaccine Court. This payment is separate from any money you are awarded by the Federal Vaccine Court. So you never have to share ANY portion of your money for damages with our law firm.
If you want more information, fill out the online vaccine form below or call our offices toll-free at (888) 952-5242 for a free case evaluation.
Which Vaccines are Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Many vaccines have been reported as leading to Rheumatoid Arthritis on VAERS, the ones listed below appear more often than others.
Live rubella vaccine (RA 27/3): A report by the Institute of Medicine entitled “Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccine” found evidence of a “causal relation” between the rubella vaccine and arthritis, particularly in adult women (Howson et al, 1992). This means that the report found evidence that the rubella vaccine may have caused arthritis in adult women.
Hepatitis B vaccine: A nine-year review of all reports to VAERS found that “hepatitis B vaccination was associated with a number of potentially serious arthritic adverse reactions” in patients, especially women. (Sibilla & Maillefert, 2002)
Influenza (flu) vaccine: A case study published by the American Society of Microbiology reports that a 3-year-old girl experienced a relapse of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis after receiving the influenza (flu) vaccine (Shimizu et. al, 2012).
Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis/JRA After a Vaccine?
One of our highly experienced vaccine attorneys can review your case for free
Symptoms in Adults and Children
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis vary depending on the areas of the body that are affected. Below, we list some of the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children.
- Tender joints
- Swollen joints
- Warm joints
- Joint stiffness that is typically worse in the mornings
- Limping
In addition to the symptoms above, patients with rheumatoid arthritis and JRA can experience symptoms that do not involve the joints. These include:
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
Children with JRA may also develop anemia, a rash on their arms and/or legs, and swelling in the lymph nodes. In more serious cases, JRA can cause symptoms in various organs like the heart, lungs, and eyes
Which Joints can be Affected by
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is important to note that rheumatoid arthritis and JRA can affect any joint (as well as other parts of the body). However, the joints most commonly affected by rheumatoid arthritis and JRA are:
- Knuckles
- Toes
- Wrists
- Knees
- Ankles
- Shoulders
Common Adverse Vaccine Reactions
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Intussusception
- Pemphigus
- Brachial Neuritis
- Polyarteritis Nodosa
- Rheumatoid Arthritis or JRA
- Neuromyelitis Optica
- Thrombocytopenia Purpura
- Dermatomyositis or JDM
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS or RSD)
- Multiple Sclerosis
- SIRVA
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
- Encephalitis
- Transverse Myelitis
- Bell’s Palsy
- Aplastic Anemia
- Henoch Schonlein Purpura
- Linear IGA Bullous Dermatosis
- Fainting After a Vaccine
- Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Content Reviewed by Jessica Olins – Vaccine Injury Lawyer
Jessica A. Olins’ practice at mctlaw, focuses on representing clients in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Ms. Olins graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Redlands University and graduated from American University Washington College of Law. While at Redlands University, Ms. Olins excelled in leading and training her colleagues through new developments in spatial mapping, involving geographic information system software and geodatabase management applications. Her law practice also involves engaging in subpoena enforcement in federal district courts nationwide. Ms. Olins is a member of the Vaccine Injury Practitioners Bar Committee, assisting in the preparation and organization of the VIP Bar Conferences. Ms. Olins is a member of the American Association for Justice and its New Lawyers Division. Additionally, Ms. Olins is a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the United States Court of Federal Claims.
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