What are the causes of sudden onset joint pain and fatigue? Explore the 7 potential causes, including the flu, COVID-19, vaccines, rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, lupus, and septic arthritis.

Influenza (The Flu)

Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that can cause sudden onset joint pain and fatigue. The flu affects the nose, throat, and in some cases, the lungs. It is contagious and transmitted through coughs and sneezes. Symptoms of the flu often come on suddenly and include fatigue, joint pain, body aches, fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea. Mild to moderate cases usually recover within 2 weeks, and over-the-counter medications can help ease symptoms. In more severe cases, doctors may recommend antiviral drugs to shorten the illness. Annual vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu.

COVID-19

COVID-19 can also cause joint pain and fatigue as symptoms. If there is a chance a person may have COVID-19, they need to stay at home and follow local authority guidelines for getting tested.

Vaccine Side Effects

Joint pain and fatigue are common side effects of some vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine. These symptoms can come on suddenly in the period shortly after getting the vaccine. Other potential side effects include mild fever, pain at the injection site, chills, and headache. These side effects tend to be mild and will usually go away on their own.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that develops when the immune system attacks its own joint tissue. The symptoms of RA, which include joint pain and fatigue, can come and go and may come on suddenly during a flare-up. Other symptoms include swelling or stiffness in more than one joint, symmetrical symptoms that affect both sides of the body, fever, weakness, and unexplained weight loss. Treatment for RA involves medications that slow the disease and prevent damage to the joints, as well as lifestyle strategies that reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis is the result of an infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection or food poisoning. The bacteria that are causing the infection can get into the bloodstream, leading to inflammation in different parts of the body, including the joints. Reactive arthritis can also affect the eyes and urinary tract. Symptoms usually develop between 1–6 weeks after contracting an infection and may come and go for several weeks to several months. Doctors usually recommend antibiotics to clear the infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with the pain.

Lupus

Joint pain and fatigue can be among the first symptoms of lupus, an autoimmune condition that affects different parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and internal organs. Symptoms include swelling in the hands or feet, swelling around the eyes, headache, mild fever, sensitivity to light, and pain in the chest during deep breaths. Symptoms usually come and go over time. There is no cure for lupus, but doctors can help people manage their symptoms with NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or antimalarial drugs.

Septic Arthritis

Septic arthritis occurs when bacteria from an infection elsewhere in the body get into the joints. This can also happen after an injury or surgery. It is a potentially serious condition that can be life-threatening without treatment. Symptoms include severe joint pain that starts suddenly, usually in just one joint, joint swelling, skin color changes around the joint, fever or chills, and a general feeling of being unwell. People with these symptoms should seek medical treatment as soon as possible, as septic arthritis often develops quickly over a few days. Doctors treat it with intravenous antibiotics and may also drain the affected joint.

Conclusion

Sudden onset joint pain and fatigue can have a variety of causes, ranging from viral infections like the flu and COVID-19 to autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Vaccine side effects, reactive arthritis, and septic arthritis can also lead to these symptoms. It’s important to seek medical attention if joint pain and fatigue come on suddenly, as some of the underlying causes can be serious. Prompt treatment is often necessary to manage the symptoms and underlying condition effectively.