Can medicines taken for flu cause side effects like knee pain with swelling?

Question

Hi doctor,

My husband, aged 53, is 6 feet tall and weighs 200 lbs was prescribed Ciprofloxacin 500 mg and Prednisone 5 mg for flu for ten days. Upon completion of the treatment, he started experiencing knee pain with swelling. It has now moved to the hands and shoulders. He complains that he almost cannot lift his arms above his head at times, and he has pain and no strength. Is this a side effect of the medicines? It seems to be getting worse, and it has been about seven weeks since he last took those medicines.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

From what you mentioned, your husband has migratory arthritis, which could be due to the following:

1. Lymes disease (caused by a tick bite).

2. Gonococcal infection.

3. Reactive arthritis.

4. Gout (high uric acid level).

It is less likely to be due to the medications he received. Please send me some clear photos of the swollen joints.

To identify the cause:

1. A physical examination is required.

2. Some laboratory work, like joint aspiration and analysis, uric acid level, and CBC (complete blood count), could be required.