Joint pain
Joint pain is often from injury or arthritis, but a hot, swollen joint with fever can be a joint infection, which is an emergency.
Get emergency help now if any of these are true
- A single joint that is hot, very swollen and extremely painful, with fever
- A joint that looks out of shape after an injury, or you cannot put any weight on it
- Numbness, tingling, or the limb turning pale or cold
- Joint pain with a rash that does not fade under pressure, or with a stiff neck
If you are unsure, treat it as an emergency. Find your country's emergency number.
See a health worker or doctor today if
- Joint pain with fever, night sweats or weight loss
- Swelling in several joints lasting more than a few days
- Joint pain in a child who refuses to walk or use the limb
- You have sickle cell disease and the pain is not settling with your usual treatment
If it gets worse, or does not get better
- A hot, swollen joint with fever needs same-day assessment — do not wait to see if it settles.
- If pain or swelling worsens, or you develop a fever, seek care immediately.
- Book a consultation if pain lasts more than 2 weeks or limits daily activity.
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