What Causes Joint Pain While Treating Scrub Typhus?

Posted on Thu, 8 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 8 Dec 2016 Answered on

Mon, 26 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I've been on a course of antibiotics (Doxycycline) to treat a serious bacterial infection. Specifically, I tested positive for Scrub Typhus, passed on by cat bite, and was diagnosed with scrub typhus and tonsillitis. Today was the last day of the antibiotic...when my symptoms first started, my ESR level was normal at 10, during the course of the infection it was still normal at 15. Now, while the bacterial infection and its symptoms have cleared, I'm feeling achy with joint pains all over my upper body, more one sided, with throat pain and other pains, which i've never felt before! It's freaking me out especially since i never normally feel like this. My ESR is 25 currently. Other tests came back normal/negative ..such as - CRP which is normal. RF and Anti CPP are both negative. I'm 29 and my ESR is usually around 9 or 8. Does this sound serious or are these pains likely temporary?

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Scrub typhus

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

What symptoms (achy with joint pains etc) you are having presently is due to scrub typhus only as you have tested positive to orienta ricketssia (O. tsutsugamushi). Your doctor has rightly prescribed a course of Doxycycline for 14 days.Some cases of scrub typhus are caused by strains that have high doxycycline minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). In such cases a course of azithromycin and rifampin are effective.Since your symptoms have not completely subsided and ESR is still high (25 mm hg) ,you need to consult your doctor again.

Some patients (usually mild cases) recover spontaneously after a few days.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng