Viral Arthritis

Introduction

Physical Therapy in Pearland, Houston for Viral Arthritis

Welcome to ProActive Physical Therapy's patient resource about Viral Arthritis.

We know that some viruses cause joint pain and inflammation (swelling, redness, and heat). Researchers have wondered for a long time whether some kinds of arthritis with unexplained causes may be the result of a virus. So far no one knows, partly because the virus itself may be long gone before a patient ever develops the pain and inflammation of arthritis.

This guide will help you understand:

  • how viral arthritis develops
  • how doctors diagnose viral arthritis
  • what can be done for the condition

Hear from some of our patients who we treated for Arthritis
Proactive Physical Therapy Center in The Woodlands is fantastic!!! I have went to 2 other places for PT and they are by far the best and I highly recommend them especially for anyone who has had...
 Proactive Physical Therapy Center in The Woodlands is fantastic!!! I have went to 2 other places for PT and they are by far the best and I highly recommend them especially for anyone who has had spinal fusion surgery on the back and also is dealing with arthritis!! 
Yvonne N
The team here is the best! There may be a couple PT that I didn’t work directly with but to over hear them with their patients, I knew if I was working with them I would definitely be just as happy...
 The team here is the best! There may be a couple PT that I didn’t work directly with but to over hear them with their patients, I knew if I was working with them I would definitely be just as happy as I was with the ones I did work with. They are all truly amazing people who really care and take the time to hear you out. Phillip was one of the the main ones I worked with , he’s full of knowledge and really went above and beyond my expectations. Listening to what I had to say and being really patient with me was key. He helped me meet my goals before releasing me and I’m forever grateful for him having me step way out of my comfort zone to achieve some major goals, thank you! Kayleigh is another PT there that went above and beyond when I was very emotional in the beginning, thank you for the support and thank you for your patience. Earl is another PT I worked with a few times who also pulled me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to my limit all for the better, thank you Earl! Of course I cannot leave out Aimee and Chastin for helping me throughout this whole journey by keeping me on my toes and really watching over me and correcting my stretches/excercises. 3 months post op I can honestly say I forget I had a TKR. Also, thank you to the staff who definitely have it together. I came in on a day I was not scheduled and they managed to work me in. Thank you Proactive!!!! I rang that bell today feeling proud and will definitely let Dr Burke know you all did a great job and I was extremely happy with the whole experience!! 
Cynthia
Pearland, TX
I have been to several physical therapy centers, but proactive has the perfect staff those who go over and above the call of duty. They all have one goal meeting my health needs. Lisa pushes me and I...
 I have been to several physical therapy centers, but proactive has the perfect staff those who go over and above the call of duty. They all have one goal meeting my health needs. Lisa pushes me and I appreciate her very much! 
Paul M
Webster, TX
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Anatomy

Where does viral arthritis develop?

Most viral infections in the body cause a limited illness. Then the body's immune system destroys the virus, and the symptoms of the illness go away.

In viral arthritis, the immune system's response to the virus causes inflammation in the joints. Even after the virus is eliminated from the body, the changes in the joint can continue to cause pain and swelling. The joint may even become permanently damaged.

Causes and Symptoms

Which viruses cause viral arthritis?

Several viruses are known to cause problems with joint inflammation and pain. Some of the most common are listed below.

Parvovirus B-19

Parvovirus B-19 is a common virus. About 60 percent of adults have been infected with it at some point in their lives. Parvovirus B-19 causes the illness called fifth disease, which causes a rash on the face and body. People usually get fifth disease as children. About 15 percent of children with fifth disease have some kind of joint pain, which usually goes away quickly. Almost 80 percent of adults who get fifth disease report sore joints within three weeks of the infection. Any joint can be involved, but usually it affects the foot, hand, knee, wrist, and ankle joints on both sides of the body. Most of the time the joint pain clears up in about two weeks, but it has been known to come and go for as long as ten years.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B infection, which causes severe inflammation of the liver, can cause a severe and sudden form of arthritis that affects many joints on both sides of the body. The hands and knees are the most common sites, but the wrists, ankles, elbows, shoulders, and other large joints are also affected. The arthritis often starts before the jaundice (yellowness of the skin) of hepatitis, and it may last for several weeks after the jaundice is gone. For patients with chronic (meaning long-lasting) hepatitis, joint pain may come and go.

Rubella

Rubella, a mild but highly infectious viral disease, causes joint pain in many adults, especially women. Joint symptoms tend to appear within a week of the rash common with this disease. The joints are usually not inflamed, but they are stiff and painful. The hands, knees, wrists, ankles, and elbows are most commonly affected. The joint pain of rubella usually goes away within two weeks, but in some cases it can last for several years.

The rubella vaccine also causes joint pain in about 15 percent of people. Joint stiffness occurs about two weeks after the shot and lasts for about a week. The vaccine has been known to cause more severe joint stiffness in some people, however, which can last for more than a year.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. It is connected to several different forms of arthritis. When people are newly infected with HIV, they often have flu-like symptoms and joint pain. About 10 percent of HIV patients have severe joint pain that comes and goes, mostly in the shoulders, elbows, and knees. Patients with HIV are much more likely to develop reactive arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, and psoriatic arthritis. In these cases, doctors aren't sure whether HIV actually causes these forms of arthritis, or whether the arthritis occurs separately. Up to 30 percent of HIV patients also suffer from fibromyalgia.

In some cases, viruses that cause arthritis type symptoms can be carried by insects. Alphaviruses, one such family of viruses, are carried by mosquitoes in Africa, Australia, Europe, and Latin America. All can cause arthritis symptoms.

Diagnosis

How do doctors identify viral arthritis?

There is no specific test for any type of viral arthritis. Your doctor will make the diagnosis based on other symptoms. Usually blood work and X-rays don't help. In many cases the diagnosis of viral arthritis is made after a search for other causes turns up negative and your symptoms or history suggest a virus as the cause.

Treatment

What can be done for the condition?

In most cases, viral arthritis runs its course fairly quickly. Your doctor may recommend a medication to help with the discomfort. Most of the time this will be an over-the-counter pain reducer like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Your doctor may also recommend use of hot or cold packs on the inflamed joints and rest.

Portions of this document copyright MMG, LLC.