It is less likely [...] No related posts.]]> Infectious arthritis, also known as septic arthritis, is an infection in a joint that affects the fluid and tissues in the joint. The infection in the joint typically develops after an infection in some other area of the body. Germs that cause infectious arthritis can be viral, bacterial or fungal.

It is less likely that the joint infection will be caused by a fungus than caused by bacteria or a virus. Some germs that can result in joint infections include mumps, rubella, hepatitis or HIV. In fact, 30% to 70% of people that are infected with HIV may develop a rheumatic disease as a result of the HIV virus.

Other sources of joint infection include tuberculosis (tuberculosis arthritis), human parvovirus (Fifth disease) and Lyme disease. The number of cases of Lyme disease has doubled in the last 15 years, from around 10,000 cases a year in the early 1990’s to nearly 20,000 cases more recently.

Infectious arthritis is not very common in children between the ages of 3 and adolescence, but otherwise can affect anyone of any age. Children are more often affected in the knees, hips and shoulders. Adults are more commonly affected in the weight bearing joints, such as hips, knees and ankles.

Older adults and people with chronic health conditions are more susceptible to developing infectious arthritis, as are those who already have another form of arthritis.

Our next post will cover the warning signs for infectious (septic) arthritis.

Originally posted 2008-06-02 19:00:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Something to keep in mind is that people with chronic health conditions tend to be more [...] No related posts.]]> In the last post I described the basics about infectious arthritis. It can be caused by bacteria, fungus or virus. The warning signs to look for differ based on the type of germ that caused the joint infection.

Something to keep in mind is that people with chronic health conditions tend to be more susceptible to psoriatic arthritis because their immune systems are weakened. Also, people with an existing form of arthritis are more susceptible as the germs target damaged joints and certain treatments for arthritis, such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), suppress the immune system.

If the joint infection is caused by a virus the pain tends to be “all-over” as opposed to being in a particular joint. There is generally no fever associated with viral based infectious arthritis.

Fungal infectious arthritis pain and swelling may be localized or all-over and may develop slowly, over an extended period of time. There may also be a mild fever.

Bacterial infectious arthritis comes on very quickly with fever and chills. The pain and swelling will be very localized, occurring in on area of the body.

Infectious arthritis is a treatable condition. Obtaining prompt treatment should clear up the infection and leave no permanent damage. However, if treatment is delayed, the damage can spread to other joints and become permanent.

If you are experiencing pain or swelling in any joints, whether accompanied by fever or not, it is important that you check with your doctor to get proper treatment.

Originally posted 2008-06-04 19:17:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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