Hand, foot, and mouth disease and rheumatoid arthritis: What to know - Medical News Today
Doctors do not believe that hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) causes rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, a small number of case reports suggest it may trigger reactive arthritis, a type of joint swelling and inflammation. It is a myth that HFMD causes RA. In rare cases, it may cause reactive arthritis, which is similar to RA. However, reactive arthritis is a distinctly different condition. Doctors do not fully understand what causes RA, but researchers think genetic and environmental factors likely play a role. It is possible that some viruses could trigger a reaction in the immune system that leads to RA. However, no recent research has looked at HFMD. People with RA, an autoimmune condition, are at risk for infections. Additionally, treatments for RA suppress immune function. Read on to learn more about HFMD and RA. There is no strong scientific evidence that HFMD causes RA. Some research, however, suggests that people may develop joint pain after HFMD infection. The coxsackiev