Polyarthritis
Encyclopedia
Polyarthritis is any type of arthritis
which involves 5 or more joints simultaneously. It is usually associated with autoimmune conditions.
Polyarthritis may be experienced at any age and is not gender specific.
, Psoriatic arthritis
, and Lupus erythematosus
but can also be caused by infection with an alphavirus such as Chikungunya Virus and Ross River Virus
. This condition is termed Alphavirus Polyarthritis Syndrome. Sindbis Virus, which is endemic in Northern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia, is the most widely distributed of the alphaviruses causing polyarthritis, though infection is usually mild or asymptomatic.
.
Alphavirus Polyarthritis Syndrome has an incubation period of 3-21 days, depending on the specific virus, with either a gradual or sudden onset of fever, arthralgias, headache, and lymphadenitis and conjunctivitis in some forms. A maculopapular rash may present 4-8 days post symptom onset and may be accompanied by an increase in fever. Joint pains associated with this condition may recur for many months after initial illness for up to a year.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
which involves 5 or more joints simultaneously. It is usually associated with autoimmune conditions.
Polyarthritis may be experienced at any age and is not gender specific.
Causes
Polyarthritis is most often caused by an auto-immune disorder such as Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...
, Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, will develop in up to 30 percent of people who have the chronic skin condition psoriasis...
, and Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is a category for a collection of diseases with similar underlying problems with immunity . Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs...
but can also be caused by infection with an alphavirus such as Chikungunya Virus and Ross River Virus
Ross River virus
Ross River virus is a small encapsulated single-strand RNA alphavirus endemic to Australia, Papua New Guinea and other islands in the South Pacific. It is responsible for a type of mosquito-borne non-lethal but debilitating tropical disease known as Ross River fever, previously termed "epidemic...
. This condition is termed Alphavirus Polyarthritis Syndrome. Sindbis Virus, which is endemic in Northern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia, is the most widely distributed of the alphaviruses causing polyarthritis, though infection is usually mild or asymptomatic.
Treatment
It is recommended that individuals with this affliction sleep on a firm mattress and a flat pillowPillow
A pillow is a large cushion support for the head, usually used while sleeping in a bed, or for the body as used on a couch or chair. There are also throw pillows , which are pillows that are purely decorative and not designed for support or comfort...
.
Associated conditions
It may associate with bilateral edema in lower limbs, pain and joint swelling. Sometimes there is previous history of inflammatory joint problems and bilateral edema of lower limbs.Alphavirus Polyarthritis Syndrome has an incubation period of 3-21 days, depending on the specific virus, with either a gradual or sudden onset of fever, arthralgias, headache, and lymphadenitis and conjunctivitis in some forms. A maculopapular rash may present 4-8 days post symptom onset and may be accompanied by an increase in fever. Joint pains associated with this condition may recur for many months after initial illness for up to a year.
See also
- Polyarteritis nodosaPolyarteritis nodosaPolyarteritis nodosa is a vasculitis of medium & small-sized arteries, which become swollen and damaged from attack by rogue immune cells. Polyarteritis nodosa is also called Kussmaul disease or Kussmaul-Maier disease...