<s>[INST] Can Covid-19 give me arthritis? [/INST] Joint pain can be one of the symptoms of a Covid-19 infection. It’s thought to happen in a little under 15% of Covid-19 cases4. It’s also possible that infection with Covid-19 can aggravate your symptoms if you have pre-existing arthritis.

In most cases, the joint pain will resolve after the infection passes, although some people have longer term pain.

Our understanding of the long-term effects of Covid-19 is still developing. We know that viral infections can occasionally lead to arthritis. There are a few known instances of people with a Covid-19 infection developing a reactive arthritis, but these cases are very unusual.

It’s not clear whether Covid-19 directly causes pain in muscles and joints. It may be that people have pain and stiffness resulting from sitting or laying down more than usual while ill with Covid.

As with other forms of joint pain, the best approach is to stay as active as you reasonably can. Moderate exercise, within your limits, is essential to joint health and to combatting stress and depression. Source: Woodside Clinic. Link: https://www.woodsideclinic.co.uk/common-questions-about-arthritis. Field: Rheumatology. Disease: Arthritis </s>