Infectious Arthritis

Prevention

The best way to prevent infectious arthritis varies depending on the type of infection:

• Staphylococcal arthritis - If you have a staphylococcal infection, antibiotics can be used to prevent this type of arthritis. However, for many people, joint pain and swelling are the first signs of the infection.

• Gonococcal arthritis - You can prevent this type of arthritis by preventing gonorrhea. Practice safe sex or don't have sex.

• Lyme disease arthritis - The best way to prevent arthritis from a Lyme infection is to avoid Lyme disease. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, use tick repellent and avoid woods, brush and other areas where ticks live.

• Tuberculosis-related arthritis - A tuberculosis vaccine may help to prevent tuberculosis and any associated arthritis. However, vaccination for tuberculosis is not routine in many parts of the world, including the United States, and the vaccine is only moderately effective. If you have tuberculous, antibiotics may prevent joint infection and arthritis. If a skin test shows recent exposure to tuberculosis or if a chest X-ray suggests active tuberculosis, antibiotics may stop the infection from spreading into joints.

• Viral arthritis - The best way to avoid arthritis caused by a viral infection is to avoid getting the infection. Wash your hands after you have been around sick children or other people with a viral infection.

Treatment

Because many bacterial infections can permanently destroy cartilage around joints, a joint infected with bacteria needs to be treated immediately with antibiotics.

Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics and will go away on their own. However, antiviral therapies are available for some viral infections, such as HIV. Aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brand names) can be taken to alleviate pain and swelling during the time it takes for the infection to go away. Viral infections usually do not cause joint damage.

If you have a bacterial infection, you probably will be hospitalized so the infected joint can be drained, you can receive antibiotics intravenously (into a vein), and you can rest the joint.