Gonococcal Arthritis

Gonococcal arthritis is an inflammation of the joints caused by the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection. The bacterium can reach the joints through the blood and cause pain and inflammation.

How it presents: it can affect one or several joints and, at times, be accompanied by skin lesions or discomfort in the tendons.

Common signs:

• Joint pain and swelling
• Warmth and redness in the area
• Difficulty moving the joint
• General malaise

Who to see? The rheumatologist is the professional who studies joint inflammation, including that of infectious origin. In the face of pain and swelling in a joint accompanied by fever or malaise, especially with a history of exposure, the appropriate step is to seek timely medical care.