Viral Arthritis

Viral arthritis is when you have arthritis — pain, inflammation and swelling your joints — that comes from a viral infection. It’s a temporary condition that develops quickly, often over a few hours or days, along with other symptoms of the infection. It goes away on its own as the other symptoms go away.

Viral arthritis is:

• Inflammatory. Unlike degenerative arthritis, inflammatory arthritis happens because your immune system is activated. Your immune system produces inflammation to fight the virus.
• Acute. Unlike many types of inflammatory arthritis, viral arthritis is a short-term reaction. Even if your infection lasts longer, viral arthritis usually goes away after the initial immune response.
• Generalized. You’ll feel it in multiple places because it comes from general inflammation in your body. It’s different from infectious arthritis, which is when you have an infection in your joint.

Symptoms of viral arthritis

The main symptoms of viral arthritis are pain, swelling and stiffness in your joints. You may also have other symptoms related to the type of viral infection you have. Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Viral exanthem rash

Viral arthritis causes

You may develop viral arthritis from:

• Arboviruses, including chikungunya, dengue virus and zika virus
• Hepatitis viruses (B and C)
• Herpes viruses, like Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex and varicella-zoster virus
• HIV
• HPV
• Mpox
• Respiratory viruses, including adenovirus, COVID-19, mumps, parvovirus and rubella

Can vaccines cause viral arthritis?

Vaccines don’t cause viral arthritis. But some of the vaccines that prevent viral infections can produce a short-term immune response that feels similar to viral arthritis. Vaccines that may cause this include:

• MMR vaccine
• HBIG vaccine
• HPV vaccine

Risk factors of viral arthritis

You may be more likely to get viral infections — and to develop complications like viral arthritis — if you:

• Have a compromised immune system. Certain chronic diseases and medications that suppress your immune system can make it harder for your body to fight off viral infections.
• Are more frequently exposed to viruses. If you travel abroad often, work in a healthcare setting or use intravenous drugs, you may be exposed to viruses more often than average.

How doctors diagnose viral arthritis

If you develop sudden joint pain that’s unusual for you, a healthcare provider will physically examine you. They’ll look for signs of inflammation in your joints and take note of any other symptoms you have. They’ll often recognize viral arthritis by the signs and symptoms of arthritis and viral infection.

Many viruses only cause short-term infections that go away by themselves. If your symptoms are mild, there may be no need to identify which virus you have. But some infections do need quick treatment. Blood tests can help your provider identify these infections and rule out other conditions, if necessary.

How is viral arthritis treated?

Most people with viral arthritis can treat it with over-the-counter pain relievers, like NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Some infections, like viral hepatitis or HIV infections, may need treatment with antiviral medications. These antivirals will often relieve viral arthritis, as well.

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

If you develop sudden joint pain and swelling, especially with other symptoms of illness, you might have viral arthritis. A healthcare provider can confirm it and determine what kind of treatment you need. Be sure to follow their instructions and let them know if you develop any new or worsening symptoms.

What can I do to reduce my risk of viral arthritis?

You can reduce your risk of viral arthritis by protecting yourself from viral infections. You should:

• Avoid injecting drugs with needles (unless directed by a healthcare provider)
• Drink clean water
• Get any vaccinations your healthcare provider recommends
• Practice safe sex
• Prevent mosquito bites

What can I expect if I have viral arthritis?

Viral arthritis is generally brief and mild. It doesn't cause long-term damage to your joints, and it resolves shortly after your infection clears. This may be a matter of days or weeks, depending on the virus you have. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about what you can expect in your case.

Occasionally, some infections can become chronic infections. In this case, it’s possible (though uncommon) to have repeat episodes of viral arthritis when symptoms of the infection flare up. Some people with chronic infections later develop chronic types of arthritis. These are different from viral arthritis.