An infected joint can be destroyed within days unless antibiotic treatment is started promptly. For this reason, several diagnostic tests are performed immediately if an infection is suspected. Usually, a sample of joint fluid is removed. It's examined for white blood cells and tested for bacteria and other organisms. The laboratory can almost always grow and identify the infecting bacteria from the joint fluid, unless the person has recently taken antibiotics. However, the

bacteria that cause gononhea, Lyme disease, and syphilis are difficult to recover from joint fluid.

A doctor generally orders blood tests because bacteria from joint infections often appear in the blood stream. Phlegm, spinal fluid, and urine may also be tested for bacteria to help determine the source of infection.

责任编辑：admin