Joint pain refers to a condition that can severely compromise bodily movement. Sometimes joint pain can be the result of an underlying medical illness. Bacteria can creep into the body and wreak havoc on the joints. Fortunately, the illnesses that cause joint pain can be treated effectively.
Rheumatic Fever
According to MedlinePlus, rheumatic fever is a bacterial infection that can specifically affect the joints, heart, skin and brain. Symptoms of rheumatic fever include joint pain, joint swelling and redness or warmth around the joints. This condition also causes stomach pain, fever, a skin rash, nosebleeds and jerky movements of the hands, feet or face.
Rheumatic fever tends to affect children between the ages of 6 and 15, MedlinePlus notes. An infection with the Streptococcus bacteria infection causes rheumatic fever.
Antibiotic medications can be used to destroy the bacteria, while anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids can be used to reduce inflammation.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a type of bone infection associated with such symptoms as joint pain, fever and pain in the affection region. The Mayo Clinic says that osteomyelitis also causes irritability and chronic fatigue, as well as warmth, tenderness or redness of the affected region. In some cases, osteomyelitis causes no symptoms at all.
Bacterial or fungal infections can cause osteomyelitis. Sometimes these infections can travel through the blood, or they may develop after surgery or an injury. In some cases, the infections can affect the spinal bones or occur in people with poor blood circulation.
Surgery may be necessary to drain the affected area of infection. Sometimes the affected bone or tissue can be removed. In other cases, surgical screws or pins from a previous surgery may be removed. Also, antibiotics or anti-fungals can be given to treat the bacteria or fungus causing osteomyelitis.
Septic Arthritis
Septic arthritis is an inflammatory joint condition characterized by joint pain, joint swelling and a fever. Septic arthritis can also lead to a fever, irritability, joint stiffness and chills.
Septic arthritis results from bacteria that spreads to the joint. The staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria causes this condition. Sometimes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Candida albicans leads to septic arthritis.
MedlinePlus says that some risk factors for developing septic arthritis include joint trauma, having an artificial joint and suffering from a chronic illness, such as diabetes.
Antibiotic medications can treat the infection. Resting, applying cold compresses to the affected region and elevating the region can help manage septic arthritis. Sometimes a needle is used to drain the affected joint.
