Post COVID Vaccination Reactive Arthritis: A Contemporary Assailant

Abstract

Richmond R Gomes

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-induced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a global spread. While most patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with mild or moderate symptoms, 15% may develop severe pneumonia, 5% develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock, and multiple organ failure. Some patients may also experience arthralgia or arthritis. Cases of reactive arthritis have been reported during or after COVID-19. Vaccines play an essential role in preventing the spread. However, almost all types ofvaccines have been reported to be associated with adverse events. With the approval of the use of COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccination program was started in our country and is still continuing. Reactive arthritis (ReA) after vaccination has been reported; however, ReA after COVID-19 vaccination has not been reported widely. We reported a 26-year’sold woman who suffered from an acute ReA on her left knee, left ankle and right wrist joint 8 days after COVID-19 vaccination anddiscussed the etiology and preventive strategy. She presented with oligoarthritic for 12 days eight days after COVID vaccination. Finally, she was diagnosed as ReA after COVID vaccination and was administered systemic steroid. The swelling and pain nearly disappeared after 7 days. On 1month follow-up, her condition was normal. ReA after COVID-19 vaccination is rare. The benefits ofvaccination far outweigh its potential risks and vaccination should be administered according to the currentrecommendations. Further attentions should be put to determine which individual is at higher risk fordeveloping autoimmune diseases after COVID-19 vaccination. More versatile and safer vaccines should beexplored.

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