Septic arthritis in children

Parents should watch for the following symptoms in their child:

• Acute pain, redness and heat in a large joint such as the hip
• Pain and spasm when child tries to move the joint
• High fever and rapid pulse
• Tremors, dilated pupils and disrupted speech

Babies may be irritable and refuse to feed. They may have redness in the joints, a racing pulse and obvious infection around the umbilical cord (where the bacteria may have entered).

If you think your child has septic arthritis, go straight to hospital. They'll be given a blood test and fluid will be drawn from the joints for testing. A consultant will look for signs of infection (increased levels of white blood cells) and staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria, which cause septic arthritis. They will also examine your child's joints and look for symptoms of septic arthritis.

Your child will be treated with antibiotics, given through a drip. They'll be kept in hospital for around two weeks. This is to monitor the condition and to make sure pressure is taken off the joints.

They'll be seen by an orthopaedic consultant, who may suggest your child needs fluid drained from the joint. This is done through an arthroscopy. After your child returns home, they'll be given a further course of antibiotic tablets. Your consultant will check your child's progress.