Can Viral Arthritis Be Cured?

Can Viral Arthritis be Cured? Let’s find out. When we talk about viral infection, we talk about something serious. The viral infection spreads through blood circulation and comes in contact with organs to adversely affect them.

When the virus causes inflammation and painful swelling of joints, it’s known as viral arthritis. Primarily, Elbow and knee joints are involved. 

We have a related article for you, you can read the Best Arthritis Drugs With The Least Side Effects.

Viral Arthritis isn’t permanent and stays as long as a viral infection stays in the body. Its symptoms resemble rheumatoid arthritis and exhibit signs of inflammation, i.e., erythema, swelling, and pain. Also, it is curable. 

Can Viral Infection Be Cured? Aim And Objectives Of Treatment:

As already stated viral Arthritis can be cured however it requires a different kinds of treatments to get the viral infection out of the body. 

Aim of Treatment

• Treating the underlying cause
• Clearing the viral infection causing arthritis.
• Giving symptomatic treatment
• Treating active arthritis with anti-rheumatic drugs.

General Management For Viral Arthritis:

• Initially, give rest to that joint and try not to use it.
• Although it’s a painful condition, not moving can make it worse. One should keep moving and can do several sports and exercises like Swimming and stretching exercises.
• Shorter duration of work. Working for long hours will make your joints fatigued and symptoms more severe.
• Have a well-balanced diet.

Pharmacological Intervention For Viral Arthritis:

• Analgesics ( medications for pain relief)
• Analgesics (acetaminophen)
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• NSAIDs (ibuprofen)
• Despite their anti-inflammatory action, Contraindicated use of steroids worsens the viral infection.
• On infrequent occasions, doctors prescribe prednisone, usually when no other drug works for the patient.
• DMARDs (disease-modifying agents) are used for chronic cases.

• Given for severe cases.
• Mostly methotrexate and sulfasalazine are used.
• It works slowly, but results can be seen in months.
• Some of the side effects that need to be taken precautions are malaise, diarrhea, and headaches.
• Monitored by blood tests. 

• Antibiotics are not for viral infections but ongoing or superimposed bacterial infections.
• Biological drugs can be given intravenously for severe and recurrent viral arthritis.
• Applying local heat
• Applying heat packs can help relieve joint stiffness.
• Applying Ice packs.
• Splints and shoe insoles can also be helpful.
• Anti-viral medications ( usually in arthritis caused by Hepatitis viruses)
• Depending upon the virus, the anti-viral is prescribed by a doctor, and its work is to help fight viral infection by integrating with the body’s immune system.
• Arthrocentesis: When the pain gets highly unbearable, fluid aspiration from the joint is done to relieve pressure, and also the sample is sent to a laboratory for pathophysiology.
• Physiotherapy: With mild support, viral arthritis gets treated independently, but if the pain lingers on, it can be improved with physiotherapy. 
• Physiotherapy helps with joint stiffness and mobility.

Specific Drug Regimens For The Specific Virus Causing Arthritis :

• Parvovirus B19: Supportive treatment, usually joint pain and fever, is treated with NSAIDs and anti-inflammatory drugs, respectively. The main aim is to differentiate between viral and rheumatoid arthritis. 
• Chikungunya: Symptomatic treatment, glucocorticoids, Hydroxychloroquine. 
• Rubella: Supportive treatment
• Hepatitis C: muscular and skeletal symptoms are treated symptomatically by analgesics and anti-inflammatory, but anti-viral was given promptly 
• Hepatitis B: It’s associated with rheumatic disease; immediately given anti-viral therapy. Sometimes synergistically given with immunosuppressive.
• HIV: Referred to a doctor who has expertise in this. HIV treatment is given, and rheumatic issues are treated, but there are chances of side effects due to drug interactions.

Alternative Treatments:

• Acupuncture for pain.
• Massage to release the in build muscle tension.

Some Exceptions:

• Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are immunosuppressed, and they are at more chance of experiencing flares and resistance to usual treatment, so doctors prescribe those drugs accordingly.

Reassurance:

• Patients need to be counseled that viral arthritis is not a debilitating or fatal disease; instead, it’s a self-limiting disease and, in usual cases, doesn’t even require medicine.
• In unusual cases, viral arthritis lasts more than 14 days. It mostly ends in a week and doesn’t need any medical therapy.

Dietary Amendments:

• Cut down on sugar from the diet.
• Sugar increases inflammation in the body.
• Decrease intake of saturated fats.
• Meat and dairy products also enhance inflammation.
• Use whole grains and bran bread.
• Increase intake of fish and nuts.
• Omega-3 and fatty acids lower inflammation and thus also helps with joint pain.
• Increase dietary intake of Vitamin D.
• Vitamin D found in an egg, Salmon, and milk reduces the attack of arthritis and helps recover from the previous attack. 

Prevention

• Viral arthritis vaccine
• Use condoms to protect yourself against HIV.
• Maintaining a high quality of food and hygiene to prevent food poisoning.

Conclusion

Any kind of viral infection can be dangerous and we can take the example of Coronavirus in this regard. However, treatment at the right time can help prevent any virus. Arthritis can be cured if it is caused by a viral infection. Make sure that you prescribe the above-mentioned treatments.