Infectious arthritis is an infection in the fluid and tissue of a joint, caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling, and fever. Those with weakened joints are at higher risk. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics is crucial to prevent permanent joint damage. Different types of bacteria are more likely to cause infectious arthritis in patients of different age groups. Treatment varies depending on the cause of the infection.
Infectious arthritis, also called septic arthritis, is an infection in the fluid and tissue of a joint. It is most commonly a bacterial infection, but can also be fungal or viral. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling and fever and usually appear within a few days of being infected.
Infectious arthritis is often caused by an infection elsewhere in the body that spreads through the blood to invade the joint. The most commonly affected joints are the knee, hip, wrist, elbow, shoulder and finger joints. People with weakened joints, such as those with a joint injury or chronic arthritis, are at higher risk for infectious arthritis. The condition is diagnosed by biopsy of the joint fluid and, in the case of a bacterial infection, treated with a course of antibiotics.
Different types of bacteria are more likely to cause infectious arthritis in patients of different age groups. Gram-negative bacilli bacteria usually only cause infectious arthritis in infants and young children, while older children and adults are more susceptible to bacterial infections from gonococci, streptococci, and spirochetes. Staph infection can strike at any age. Viruses that can cause infectious arthritis include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), parvoviruses, and the viruses that cause mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B. Fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis can cause chronic infectious arthritis .
If you notice pain or swelling in your joints, you should see a doctor right away as you may have infectious arthritis. Those with chronic arthritis should see a doctor if a particular joint suddenly becomes painful and swollen. Joints can become permanently damaged very quickly, sometimes within hours, if infectious arthritis is left untreated.
If a doctor suspects infectious arthritis, they will take a biopsy by drawing fluid from the affected joint with a syringe as soon as possible and start the patient on antibiotics. Antibiotics will first be given intravenously, followed by a course of oral antibiotics. After laboratory analysis of the joint fluid, treatment may change depending on the cause of the infection.
If a case of infectious arthritis is bacterial, antibiotics should start to clear it up within 48 hours. Infectious fungal arthritis is treated with antifungal medications, and a viral infection usually clears up on its own, so you don’t need any medications except pain relievers. The affected joint may need to be drained with a needle, arthroscopy, or surgery, and physical therapy is sometimes needed to prevent stiffness and maintain function and range of motion.
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