Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Many viruses have been linked to viral arthritis. Treatments are generally directed at alleviating joint pain andinflammation. The resolution of the underlying infection will usually resolve the arthritis symptoms.
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Types of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases
Symptoms of viral arthritis tend to develop suddenly, be of short duration, and not recur. Many cases of viral arthritis resolve within six weeks.The classic triad of symptoms are similar to those ofrheumatoid arthritis:
Viral arthritis also tends to manifest withpolyarthritis(arthritis in more than five joints). People with pre-existing osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may experience a worsening of joint symptoms due to the rapid onset of viral inflammation.
Viral arthritis does generally not cause joint destruction, although some viral causes (like thechikungunya virus) may cause joint pain for months and even years after the infection has cleared.
Diseases That Mimic Rheumatoid Arthritis
In such an event, the immune system will not only attacks the viruses freely circulating in the bloodstream but also deposits substances called immune complexes into the joint space. Immune complexes help defensiveantibodiesbind to antigens but also trigger acute inflammation, causing joint pain and swelling. Viral arthritis is the result.
The viruses most commonly linked to viral arthritis include:
Other viruses less commonly associated with viral arthritis include thehepatitis E virus (HEV), human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1),enteroviruses, and thedengue virus.
Due to the widespread vaccination of mumps and other viral diseases, viral arthritis is less common in the United States than it once was.
Viral and Non-Viral Causes of Joint Effusion
Diagnosis of viral arthritis can be tricky because there is no single presentation of the disease that is considered “typical.” The classic signs of viral arthritis—fever, rash, and joint pain—can occur with other illnesses, many of which are not viral.
Blood Tests
Viral arthritis is diagnosed with blood tests that confirm the underlying infection. These may include:
Additional blood tests may also be ordered to rule out other possible causes for the joint symptoms.Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)levels will be normal in OA but elevated in viral arthritis as well as inflammatory/immune arthritis, such as RA.
How Arthritis Is Diagnosed
The treatment of viral arthritis focuses on symptom relief and the restoration of joint function. In some cases, treatments will be started presumptively since they are commonly used to treat many inflammatory joint conditions. Other prescription treatments may be delayed until more definitive results are obtained.
Treatment options for viral arthritis may include:
Corticosteroidsare generally avoided since they can mask or worsen the underlying viral disease. Moreover, most cases of viral arthritis are self-limiting and resolve on their own in tandem with the underlying infection.
Physical therapymay help improve joint function in rare cases, like chikungunya infection, where joint symptoms are persistent.
A Word From Verywell
Viral arthritis is a frequently overlooked condition but one that can cause significant impairment and discomfort, particularly in people who already have arthritis. Early diagnosis can help doctors dispense the appropriate treatment so that you are neither undertreated nor overtreated.
If you suspect you have viral arthritis, you can seek a diagnosis from yourprimary care physicianor ask for a referral to anorthopedist(who specializes in diseases of the muscles and joints) or arheumatologist(who specializes in rheumatic diseases).
When to See a Doctor About Joint Pain
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marks M, Marks JL.Viral arthritis.Clin Med (Lond). 2016;16(2):129-34. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.16-2-129Tiwari V, Bergman MJ.Viral arthritis. In: StatPearls.Goupil BA, Mores CN.A review of chikungunya virus-induced arthralgia: Clinical manifestations, therapeutics, and pathogenesis.Open Rheumatol J. 2016;10:129-40. doi:10.2174/1874312901610010129Burrell CJ, Howard CR, Murphy FA.Viral syndromes.Fenner White Med Virol. 2017;2017: 537-56. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-375156-0.00039-4
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marks M, Marks JL.Viral arthritis.Clin Med (Lond). 2016;16(2):129-34. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.16-2-129Tiwari V, Bergman MJ.Viral arthritis. In: StatPearls.Goupil BA, Mores CN.A review of chikungunya virus-induced arthralgia: Clinical manifestations, therapeutics, and pathogenesis.Open Rheumatol J. 2016;10:129-40. doi:10.2174/1874312901610010129Burrell CJ, Howard CR, Murphy FA.Viral syndromes.Fenner White Med Virol. 2017;2017: 537-56. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-375156-0.00039-4
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Marks M, Marks JL.Viral arthritis.Clin Med (Lond). 2016;16(2):129-34. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.16-2-129Tiwari V, Bergman MJ.Viral arthritis. In: StatPearls.Goupil BA, Mores CN.A review of chikungunya virus-induced arthralgia: Clinical manifestations, therapeutics, and pathogenesis.Open Rheumatol J. 2016;10:129-40. doi:10.2174/1874312901610010129Burrell CJ, Howard CR, Murphy FA.Viral syndromes.Fenner White Med Virol. 2017;2017: 537-56. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-375156-0.00039-4
Marks M, Marks JL.Viral arthritis.Clin Med (Lond). 2016;16(2):129-34. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.16-2-129
Tiwari V, Bergman MJ.Viral arthritis. In: StatPearls.
Goupil BA, Mores CN.A review of chikungunya virus-induced arthralgia: Clinical manifestations, therapeutics, and pathogenesis.Open Rheumatol J. 2016;10:129-40. doi:10.2174/1874312901610010129
Burrell CJ, Howard CR, Murphy FA.Viral syndromes.Fenner White Med Virol. 2017;2017: 537-56. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-375156-0.00039-4
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