Joint Infections: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

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What are the symptoms of a joint infection?

Different types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi can infect a joint. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, swelling, redness, and warmth. Quick treatment with antibiotics is needed to halt the risk of joint damage. Other treatments include medicines for pain and fever, drainage of the joint, physical therapy, and a splint.

What is bacterial joint inflammation?

Bacterial joint inflammation is a serious and painful infection in a joint. It’s also known as bacterial or septic arthritis. Bacteria can get into your joint and cause rapid cartilage deterioration and bone damage. This can lead to significant pain, swelling, redness, and loss of movement.

How do you know if a bacterial infection is causing joint inflammation?

Sampling fluid from the affected joint will help pinpoint the type of bacterial infection causing the inflammation. Joint fluid is typically transparent and thick. A bacterial infection will usually change its appearance. What are the treatments for bacterial joint inflammation?

What is a common type of joint infection?

A common type of joint infection is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the sexually transmitted bacteria that cause gonorrhea; this is called a gonococcal joint infection. Joint infection with other types of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus, is called nongonococcal bacterial (septic) arthritis.

What causes bacterial joint infections?

Bacterial joint infections can be caused by a number of different organisms and can occur in both natural and artificial joints (eg, after a knee replacement). A common type of joint infection is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the sexually transmitted bacteria that cause gonorrhea; this is called a gonococcal joint infection.

What Is Joint Infections

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/bacterial-joint-inflammation
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bone-and-joint-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20350755
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323049
4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22418-septic-arthritis

Joint Infections Information

1. https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Bone_and_joint_infection/
2. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/joint-infection-beyond-the-basics
3. https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/infections-of-joints-and-bones/acute-infectious-arthritis
4. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone,-joint,-and-muscle-disorders/bone-and-joint-infections/infectious-arthritis
5. https://www.medicinejournal.co.uk/article/S1357-3039(21)00351-0/fulltext
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6303448/