Virus-Induced Arthritis - Viral Arthritis

Viral arthritis is joint inflammation caused by a virus.

What is going on in the body?

A virus can affect a joint in two ways. A virus can directly infect a joint by invading its inside lining, called the synovium. The virus can also cause a bodywide immune system response, which can cause joint swelling and pain. In this case, the joint is attacked by the immune system, rather than the virus.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Common causes of viral arthritis include:

Other causes are also possible, though less common.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Symptoms of viral arthritis include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Specific symptoms depend on the type of virus causing the infection. For example, someone with hepatitis B may develop abdominal distress, nausea, and jaundice, which is a yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin.

How is the condition diagnosed?

A person with viral arthritis will complain of joint swelling that occurs shortly after an infection caused by a virus. Or a person may have joint symptoms after getting a vaccine against a virus. Blood tests for these viruses can often confirm that the joint swelling and pain are caused by the infection.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

There is little that can be done to prevent viral arthritis, except to avoid exposure to viruses when possible. Immunizations are available against rubella, mumps, and hepatitis B. However, the rubella vaccine can actually cause this condition, since it contains a live, weakened form of the virus.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Chronic inflammation of the joint lining, known as synovitis, can develop in people who have chronic active hepatitis. In other cases, the arthritis tends to resolve on its own, but this process may take months or even years. Other long-term effects are related to the underlying cause. For example, long-term hepatitis B infection can result in serious liver damage, liver cancer, or even death in some cases.

What are the risks to others?

The viruses that can cause viral arthritis are contagious and may be passed to others. The viral arthritis itself is not contagious.

What are the treatments for the condition?

Treatment usually includes aspirin or other pain medications to help with the joint pain and inflammation. This is all the treatment most people need.

If pain is severe in a particular joint, a joint fluid aspiration may be done. A needle is inserted into the joint to withdraw some of the joint fluid.

Immunoglobulins may also rarely be given. These are antibodies collected from other people's blood that help fight infections. This treatment is only used for certain severe cases.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Immunoglobulins are collected from human blood. Because of this, they can occasionally cause an infection in the person receiving them. Aspirin may cause an allergic reaction, stomach irritation, or bleeding. Other specific side effects depend on the pain medication used.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

A person may have joint swelling and pain that lasts for a long time, although this is rare. Once a person feels better, no further treatment is usually needed.

How is the condition monitored?

A healthcare provider will follow up with a person until the symptoms go away. Further monitoring may be needed for the underlying infection. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Author:John A.K. Davies, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:04/30/01
Reviewer:Melissa Sanders, PharmD
Date Reviewed:08/20/01