Viral arthritis on the rise in Bengaluru

Kavitha (name changed), 37, limped to hospital with painful joints.

Severe and continuous pain along with high temperature lead her to think it’s dengue fever. After consulting the doctor, she was diagnosed with viral arthritis, not dengue.

Kavitha is one among many in the city suffering from  viral arthritis this rainy season. The disease tends to proliferate during rainy season as any viral fever may lead to viral arthritis, characterised by inflammation of the joints from a viral infection.

“We have been seeing a significant increase in the numbers, and it increases during the rainy season,” said Dr Manohar C N, consultant, internal medicine, Manipal Hospitals.

Hospitals in the city are seeing at least 20 to 30 cases each of viral arthritis a week, while more visit neighbourhood clinics. Although it can occur among all age groups, experts said that it is seen mostly among the 30 and above age group.

Symptoms identical

“I had severe pain in my knee, elbow and other parts. Joints had started swelling too. I thought it is dengue, as the symptoms of both illnesses are almost the same. But I am informed that its viral arthritis,” said Ramesh, who visited Mallya hospital.

Dr Jayateerth Kulkarni, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Fortis hospital said that the virus which caused arthritis cannot be diagnosed with certainty. The symptoms of  dengue, chikungunya and other viral fevers are almost the same. The patient will have to wait and see if the pain goes on for more than two weeks or so, while taking medication.

Rest, basic medicines

He said that viral arthritis occurs due to the settlement of the virus in the joints. Rest and basic medication can cure it. It is a self-limiting condition, he said.

It is always better to avoid mosquitoes that bite during the daytime and not at night. said Dr Raj Devashis Chakravarthy, Narayana Institute of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, Narayana Multi-speciality Hospital.

He added that the city should be kept clean and water-logging should be controlled so as to reduce the incidence.