drugs (NSAIDs) for the pain and he may require bed rest. If his disease relapses he should be
referred to a rheumatologist. He and his wife should be referred to the sexually transmitted
disease clinic for counselling and testing for other sexually transmitted diseases such as
hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis.
- The most likely causes of an acute large joint monoarthritis are a septic arthritis and a
seronegative arthritis. - Septic arthritis must be recognized and treated as a medical emergency.