Infectious Arthritis
Infectious arthritis, also known as septic arthritis, is characterized by joint inflammation that results from an infection caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus. This type of arthritis most commonly affects the joints in the knee or hip. This occurs when the germ travels through the bloodstream to the joints, causing joint damage and severe pain.
In most cases, septic arthritis affects a single joint, but sometimes more than one joint can become infected. Some people are more likely to develop infectious arthritis when they have an existing arthritis, prosthetic joints, chronic illness, bacterial infection, alcoholism, and suppressed immune system. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling and redness of affected joint, fever, chills, and stiffness.
Affecting approximately 20,000 people in the United States each year [1], infectious arthritis can occur to people of all ages. In children, it occurs most often before the age of 3. Bacteria are the most common culprit – staphylococcus and streptococci. The viruses that can infect joints include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), parvoviruses, and those that are responsible for hepatitis, rubella, and mumps.
To diagnose septic arthritis, doctors usually perform an analysis of the joint fluids, a blood test, or through x-rays. Treatments for septic arthritis include antibiotics and joint drainage. Complications, such as joint degeneration and osteoarthritis, may arise if treatment is delayed.
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