The Facts on Viral Arthritis

Many people young and old are suffering from arthritis across America, and there are several different types that exist so it can be hard to tell the significant differences between them. Everyone thinks that when you have an ache or pain that you have arthritis, but many have discovered that they have a more serious type of arthritis than they believed. Viral arthritis isn't all that popular and many have never even heard of it. So, what it is and how do we treat it?

What is Viral Arthritis ?

Viral arthritis is a type of arthritis that is triggered by a viral infection in the body. When viral arthritis attacks it can cause some of the same symptoms that people get with other types of arthritis like joint pain, joint swelling and inflammation. There are several virus-related illnesses that can cause the viral arthritis to ensue including: Dengue fever, Hepatitis B and C, HIV, HPV and more. Some children have experienced this type of arthritis when getting a rubella vaccine, so if your children are having aches and pains after getting their vaccinations you may want to talk to their pediatrician. Viral arthritis isn't likely with this vaccine and the cases in which it has occurred are rare, but it can happen.

Symptoms of Viral Arthritis

The initial symptoms of viral arthritis are similar to that of other types of arthritis in which one experiences joint pain or inflammation in one or more of their joints. Basic examination at the doctor's office can help identify that joints are swollen, but typically a young adult or older adult can easily identify that. In some cases your doctor may choose to extract fluid from your joints to see what is causing the inflammation although it isn't pleasant.

Treatment for Viral Arthritis

Pain medicines are usually the only treatment to help relieve the pain along with antiviral medications. Some patients have experienced quite a bit of discomfort when a joint swells significantly. When this happens, extracting fluid is usually the easiest way to get rid of it. Fluid can pool around the joint causing it to swell and cause pain, so once the fluid is extracted relief is achieved.

Viral arthritis is easy to treat and it typically disappears within a matter of days. Whatever the virus is will usually have to run its course, and until it does the arthritis may not go away completely. As always, be sure to speak with your doctor directly to understand what changes are occurring in your health as well as what your course of treatment should be for you personally.

Edward J. Herzig M.D.

Internists of Fairfield

Fairfield, Oh