Arthritis associated with common viral infections

Arthritis complicating the common viral infections--mumps, coxsackievirus, and adenovirus--can be enigmatic. Mumps arthritis is often difficult to identify, especially when parotitis is mild, because the arthritic syndrome generally follows complete clearing of salivary adenitis by one to two weeks. Migratory polyarthritis is common and may run a protracted course, but only supportive care is generally needed. Arthritis associated with coxsackievirus or adenovirus infection may be particularly perplexing, as the dominant syndrome may be a classic Still's variety of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The polyarthritis may be persistent and/or recurrent, despite administration of potent antiinflammatory agents.