<p id="page-title">Septic arthritis is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003261.htm" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">inflammation of a joint</a><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;due to a bacterial or fungal infection. Septic arthritis that is due to the bacteria that cause</span><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007267.htm" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">gonorrhea</a><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;has different symptoms and is also called&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000453.htm" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">gonococcal arthritis</a><span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span></p>

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<p>Causes</p>

<p>Septic arthritis develops when bacteria or other tiny disease-causing organisms (microorganisms) spread through the blood to a joint. It may also occur when the joint is directly infected with a microorganism from an injury or during surgery.&nbsp;Joints that are commonly affected are the knee and hip.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most cases of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002215.htm">acute</a>&nbsp;septic arthritis are caused by bacteria such as<em>Staphylococcus</em>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>Streptococcus</em>.</p>

<p>Chronic septic arthritis (which is less common) is caused by organisms such as&nbsp;<em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>Candida albicans</em>.</p>

<p>The following conditions increase your risk for septic arthritis:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Artificial joint implants</li>
	<li>Bacterial infection somewhere else in your body</li>
	<li>Presence of bacteria in your blood</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002312.htm">Chronic</a>&nbsp;illness or disease (such as diabetes,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000431.htm">rheumatoid arthritis</a>, and sickle cell disease)</li>
	<li>Intravenous (IV) or injection drug use</li>
	<li>Medications that suppress your immune system</li>
	<li>Recent joint injury</li>
	<li>Recent joint arthroscopy or other surgery</li>
</ul>

<p>Septic arthritis may be seen at any age. In children, it occurs most often in those younger than 3 years. The hip is often the site of infection in infants.</p>

<p>Septic arthritis is uncommon from age 3 to adolescence. Children with septic arthritis are more likely than adults to be infected with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001366.htm">Group B streptococcus</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>Haemophilus</em>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000080.htm"><em>influenza</em></a>, if they have not been vaccinated.</p>

<h2>Symptoms</h2>

<p>Symptoms usually come on quickly. There is a fever, and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003262.htm">joint swelling</a>&nbsp;that is usually in just one joint. There is also intense&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003261.htm">joint pain</a>, which gets worse with movement.</p>

<p>Symptoms in newborns or infants:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Cries when infected joint is moved (example: diaper change causes crying if hip joint is infected)</li>
	<li>Fever</li>
	<li>Inability to move the limb with the infected joint (pseudoparalysis)</li>
	<li>Irritability</li>
</ul>

<p>Symptoms in children and adults:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Inability to move the limb with the infected joint (pseudoparalysis)</li>
	<li>Intense joint pain</li>
	<li>Joint swelling</li>
	<li>Joint redness</li>
	<li>Fever</li>
</ul>

<p>Chills may occur, but are uncommon.</p>

<h2>Exams and Tests</h2>

<ul>
	<li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003629.htm">Aspiration of joint fluid</a>&nbsp;for cell count, examination of crystals under the microscope, gram stain, and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003742.htm">culture</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003744.htm">Blood culture</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003810.htm">X-ray of affected joint</a></li>
</ul>

<h2>Treatment</h2>

<p>Antibiotics are used to treat the infection.</p>

<p>Resting, keeping the joint still, raising the joint, and using cool compresses may help relieve pain. Exercising the affected joint helps the recovery process.</p>

<p>If joint (synovial) fluid builds up quickly due to the infection, a needle may be inserted into the joint often to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002216.htm">aspirate</a>&nbsp;the fluid. Severe cases may need surgery to drain the infected joint fluid.</p>

<h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2>

<p>Recovery is good with prompt antibiotic treatment. If treatment is delayed, permanent joint damage may result.</p>

<h2>Possible Complications</h2>

<p>Joint degeneration (arthritis)</p>

<h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2>

<p>Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of septic arthritis.</p>

<h2>Prevention</h2>

<p>Preventive (prophylactic) antibiotics may be helpful for people at high risk.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Source</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000430.htm">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000430.htm</a></p>

<p>Fever in Children (<a href="http://symptomaster.com/client/main?user_action=user_action_from_external_url&amp;need_auth_guest=1&amp;external_symptom_id=197&amp;gender_id=1" target="_blank">male</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://symptomaster.com/client/main?user_action=user_action_from_external_url&amp;need_auth_guest=1&amp;external_symptom_id=197&amp;gender_id=2" target="_blank">female</a>)</p>

<p>Painful Joints (<a href="http://symptomaster.com/client/main?user_action=user_action_from_external_url&amp;need_auth_guest=1&amp;external_symptom_id=2201&amp;gender_id=2" target="_blank">female</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://symptomaster.com/client/main?user_action=user_action_from_external_url&amp;need_auth_guest=1&amp;external_symptom_id=1503&amp;gender_id=1" target="_blank">male</a>)</p>
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