Arthritis is a medical term that implies inflammation of joint(s). Causes of this illness are diverse and involve many pathological mechanisms. The causes of arthritis are either infective or non-infective. However, whatever the cause is, it leads to pain, tenderness and limitation of movements of the affected joint(s) in most cases.
Infective causes of arthritis are numerous and include viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic causes. Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C, Alphaviruses, Rubella virus, Retroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, Varicella-zoster virus and Mumps virus are recognizable causes of arthritis. Bacterial arthritis is sometimes termed septic arthritis and is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci. Septic arthritis is usually caused by spread of infection from nearby bones (osteomyelitis). Bacterial arthritis is rather common in the pediatric age group. Fungal causes of arthritis usually affect immune-compromised individuals like HIV infected patients. Lyme disease is one of the recognizable infective causes of arthritis in America. Continue reading ‘Causes of Arthritis – A Useful Guide’ »