Gonococcal Arthritis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: May 30, 2023
  • Author: Victoria Fernandes Sullivan, MD; Chief Editor: Herbert S Diamond, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

In the pediatric population, the diagnosis of gonococcal arthritis must be considered if the patient is sexually active or abused. In the geriatric population, gonococcal arthritis is uncommon but should be considered if suggested by the patient’s sexual history.

In addition to the conditions listed in the differential diagnosis, other problems to be considered include the following:

Infectious causes of fever and purpuric skin lesions include the following:

Noninfectious causes of fever and purpuric skin lesions include the following:

Mistaking gonococcal arthritis for a noninfectious condition that requires immunosuppressive therapy may result in worsening of the infection. [13]

Differential Diagnoses