Arthritis Cure Information and Tips
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Septic Arthritis
Septic Arthritis or infectious arthritis is caused due to a bacterial, fungal or viral infection in the cartilage. This form of acute arthritis is most dangerous among others and causes severe chronic joints pain, fever, chills and inflammation in one or more joints and may result in loss of function in those joints. It is an emergency condition as it may create septic shock which is fatal in some conditions.
Septic arthritis occurs when an infectious organism such as bacteria or virus reaches a joint. Bacteria could reach a joint through blood stream, through surgery or an injection. Bacteria could also contaminate a joint directly.
Though this can affect any joint but most commonly this affects shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger, knee and hip joints. Patients suffering with septic arthritis usually present a single swollen joint with pain while in motion or at rest.
Any age group may get infected with this dreadful disease it is even found in infants and children. People suffering from following are more vulnerable:
- chronic rheumatoid arthritis
- certain specific systemic infections
- certain type of cancer
- prolonged diabetes or anemia
A recent joint injury or surgery, or even direct injection in the joint can also be a cause for septic arthritis. Studies also reveal that this infection is common among homosexual men and women.
Septic arthritis symptoms occur suddenly, causing swelling and severe unbearable acute pain in the affected joint. This is some times accompanied with chills and fever. Hip arthritis causes pain in groin area which becomes worse when patient tries to walk. In many cases, some leakage of tissue fluid is also noticed. Joints become sore and warm to touch. Young patients may also develop nausea and vomiting.
Septic arthritis is treated with antibiotics. Usually doctors prefer to inject antibiotics in the veins directly to make sure infected joint receive medicine to combat and kill bacteria as early as possible. Then a complete antibiotics course could be prescribed by the physician.