VIRAL-INFECTION AS A CAUSE OF ARTHRITIS

Rheumatic complaints secondary to viral infections are usually brief, self-limited and nondestructive. They may accompany almost any type of viral illness, and the arthritic presentation is nonspecific. These m anifestations are protean, ranging from arthralgia to vasculitis. Ofte n the cause of the rheumatic complaint remains elusive because of the prompt resolution of the viral infection; Evaluation for autoimmune di seases should, be postponed until the symptoms have been present for a t least six weeks, However, some viral diseases, such as parvovirus, c hronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections, can produce long-lasting rheumatic symptoms. Since the arthritis associated with hepatitis C infection has only recently been recognized, it is importa nt to search for this association in patients who have atypical rheuma tic complaints, risk factors for hepatitis and alterations in liver en zymes, so that an accurate diagnosis can be established and the pathop hysiology can be better understood.