Viral arthritides are generally self-limiting conditions requiring symptomatic treatment, diagnosed primarily through serology or nucleic acid tests.
Supports symptomatic care without antimicrobials; leaves open virus-specific prospective studies.
Viral infections may manifest as acute or chronic arthritis. Joint involvement arises from either direct infection of the joint, through an immunological response directed towards the virus or autoimmunity. Epidemiological clues to the diagnosis include geographic location and exposure to vector-borne, blood-borne or sexually transmitted viruses. Although not always possible, it is important to diagnose the pathogenic virus, usually by serology, nucleic acid tests or rarely, viral culture. In general, viral arthritides are self-limiting and treatment is targeted at symptomatic relief. This article focuses on the causes, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of viral arthritides.
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Outhred et al. (2011) studied this question.
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