Arthritis More Arthritis Types & Related Conditions Print Septic Arthritis Caused by an Infection That Travels to a Joint Written by facebook Written by Carol Eustice Carol Eustice is a writer who covers arthritis and chronic illness. She is the author of "The Everything Health Guide to Arthritis." Learn about our editorial policy Carol Eustice Updated on July 11, 2019 Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images More in Arthritis More Arthritis Types & Related Conditions Causes & Risk Factors Living With Support & Coping Joint Pain Rheumatoid Arthritis Gout Ankylosing Spondylitis Diagnosis Symptoms Treatment Osteoarthritis Psoriatic Arthritis View All In This Article Table of Contents Expand Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Risk Factors Prevalence View All Back To Top Septic arthritis is an infection in a joint. The infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Joint infection caused by fungi or parasites is much less common than that caused by bacteria or viruses. Typically, septic arthritis affects a single large joint, such as the knee or hip, but it is possible for several joints to be infected. Septic arthritis is also referred to as infectious arthritis. Septic arthritis is considered a medical emergency because of the serious damage that can occur to bone and cartilage. Septic arthritis can cause septic shock, which can be fatal. Causes The infection can originate anywhere in the body. The infection may also begin as the result of an open wound, surgery, or unsterile injection. Whatever the initial source of infection, septic arthritis occurs when the infective organism travels through the bloodstream to the joint. Symptoms Signs and symptoms associated with septic arthritis include: FeverChillsSevere pain in the affected jointSwelling of the affected joint (joint effusion)Warmth near the affected jointFatigue and weaknessNausea Diagnosis After considering your medical history and physical examination, certain tests will be ordered by your doctor. The tests used to diagnose septic arthritis include: Blood tests to identify elevated white cell count and bacteriaX-rays or other imaging studies to assess joint damageArthrocentesis to analyze synovial (joint) fluid for several parameters that could indicate infection Treatment It is necessary to identify the bacteria that is causing the infection. Once the bacteria is identified, the appropriate antibiotic can begin. Antibiotics, used to kill the bacteria, are usually taken for 4 to 6 weeks, orally or intravenously. It may also be necessary to drain the infected joint space, either by arthrocentesis, surgical irrigation (washing out the joint with sterile solutions), or debridement (removal of decaying tissue). There may be significant joint damage resulting from septic arthritis that eventually leads to joint replacement surgery. Risk Factors Certain factors increase the risk of developing septic arthritis. Those include: Previous joint problems from other types of arthritis, joint surgery, joint injuryA weakened immune system from diseases or from taking immunosuppressant medicationsSkin wounds or open wounds allow bacteria access to the bodyInjectable drug abuse and alcoholism are associated with high infection risk Prevalence Septic arthritis can affect anyone at any age—including infants and children. In adults, weight-bearing joints (hips, knees, ankles) are most affected. In children, shoulders, hips, and knees are commonly affected. As the population ages, doctors are seeing more patients with septic arthritis. Points of Interest The most common type of bacteria involved in septic arthritis is Staphylococcus aureus, usually referred to as Staph.The bacteria that cause gonorrhea used to be a common cause of septic arthritis, but safe sex has made it less common.When viruses attack joints, it is called viral arthritis, and the condition usually resolves on its own.Joint infection caused by a fungus, known as fungal arthritis, is considered very rare. Remember, seek immediate medical attention if you have signs or symptoms that point to septic arthritis. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Septic Arthritis. Zeller et al. 297 (13):1510. JAMA. April 4, 2007. Septic Arthritis. Health & Disease Information. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine. Continue Reading