Characteristics Of Acute Infectious Arthritis

Acute infectious arthritis, also known as arthritis, is a disease in which the synovial membrane, a thin layer that encloses and protects the inside of the fibrous joint capsule, swells.

It produces a special substance, synovial fluid, to perform these functions, a kind of lubricant for the joints that can reduce damage.

Similarly, there are two types of arthritis depending on the period of development. On the one hand, there is chronic arthritis if the condition does not go away after treatment of the causes of the disease, and a person has the problem for the rest of his life. On the other hand, there is acute arthritis if the disorder disappears after treatment.

It usually symmetrically affects the same joints on both sides of the body. In addition, it can wear on other surrounding internal structures such as bones, cartilage, etc.

Symptoms of acute infectious arthritis

As a general rule, a person may experience a number of symptoms associated with this disease. Some of the most common are:

• General exhaustion
• Loss of appetite
• Fever that varies in intensity
• Sometimes chills
• Severe pain or discomfort in the joints
• Swelling or inflammation in the affected areas along with a reddish tone (more than usual)
• Dry mouth (especially in the morning) or red eyes
• Also a feeling of numbness in the joints that is stronger in the morning

Causes of septic arthritis

The infectious microbes that cause this disease can act directly (the pathogen is in the joint) or indirectly (the harmful microorganism started an infection in a given area and then moved to these structures).

In both cases, the patient’s immune system will work against the infection by producing and moving a large number of leukocytes to the area. This is usually the cause of arthritis. There are other classifications according to the type of infectious microbes that cause the disease. In this way it can be:

• Bacterial arthritis caused by gonococci, streptococci or staphylococci. As a general rule, infectious arthritis is part of this category.

• Viral arthritis is a condition caused by certain types of viruses, such as parvovirus B19, rubella or hepatitis (B and C).
• Rarely does it develop from infection by a parasite or fungus.

Diagnosis of acute infectious arthritis

As a general rule , a medical team will perform a series of medical procedures to identify this disorder and thus rule out others with similar symptoms. For example:

• An examination where specialists check the symptoms a patient may experience
• They will also study the patient’s medical history
• A synovial fluid assay tests a small amount of this substance in a laboratory test to confirm or rule out the presence of pathogens
• Other routine tests such as blood or urine tests

Treatment of acute infectious arthritis

The goal of treatment is to eliminate the triggering infection and reduce any symptoms.

• A doctor will prescribe antibiotics for infectious arthritis caused by bacteria
• They may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and painkillers (to relieve pain or discomfort)
• Alternatively, they have the ability to immobilize the affected joint (and may even put a splint on it)
• Finally, they can recommend physiotherapy to restore joint strength and range of motion

As you can see, these measures work together and can improve a person’s condition.

A complex pathology

Finally, patients with infectious arthritis need early diagnosis and timely treatment. Complications can occur otherwise. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible in the presence of any of the above symptoms.