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Infectious arthritis is a medical condition, in which infections in the fluids (synovial fluid) and tissue of joints occurs. Infective organism, mostly bacteria reaches the joints through the bloodstream, but joints may be infected directly if it is contaminated by an injection, injury, or surgery. Various bacteria may infect a joint, but the bacteria which tends to result in infections depends on an individual’s age. Such bacteria as gram-negative bacilli; hemophilus influenza and staphylococci infects young children and babies, while streptococci, staphylococci, and gonococci most frequently may infect adults and older children. Viruses such as HIV, mumps, hepatitis B, and parvoviruses infect joints in individuals at any ages. Chronic infection of the joint is mostly resulted from fungal infection and tuberculosis. Symptoms of infectious arthritis in infants include pain, fever, and tendency to become fussy. Usually, infants with infectious arthritis can’t move the infected joints, because touching or moving them is painful. In adults and older children with viral and bacterial joint infection, symptoms start suddenly. The joints become warm and red, touching and moving becomes very achy. Fluid accumulates in the infected joints, resulting in stiffness and swelling. Chills and fever also may occur. The affected joints include hips, fingers, knees, shoulders, wrists, and elbows. Mycobacteria or fungi usually results in less serious symptoms. In infectious arthritis, an infected joint may be destroyed within days until antibiotic treatments are began promptly. Few diagnostic examinations must be performed promptly if an infection is suspected. Commonly, joint fluid sample is taken and tested for bacteria and white blood cells. However, the bacteria resulting in gonorrhea, syphilis, and lyme disease is difficult to recover from fluid of joint. In infectious arthritis, a physician usually orders a blood test, because bacteria from joint infection frequently appear in the bloodstream. Spinal fluid, urine, and phlegm can also be examined for bacteria to help identify the source of infections. Infectious arthritis is cured with antibiotics, which frequently are given intravenously at first. In rare cases, antibiotics are injected directly into the joints. With proper antibiotics, the improvements generally occur within 2 days. In cases, when an artificial joint becomes infected, surgery can be required to replace the damaged joint.
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