question about pneumonia

[nminodob]

This is not a request for medical advice.

A friend who was hospitalized for pneumonia insists the doctors told her that her bacterial pneumonia "traveled" to her knee, and that is why her knee become inflamed and required surgery to remove "vials and vials" of pus. I have never heard of this before, has anyone else? From what I know of lung infections, most bacteria in the lung do not "travel" to the joints. What do all of you think about this?

[scared'o'needles!]

Could it be reactive arthritis? Just a guess!

[nminodob]

I have never heard of reactive arthritis but it certainly seems to fit the description. Thanks!

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Let's see:

We know that pts that get TB, and that when it is not treated, it can show up in bones, kidneys, liver and other organ groups.

We know that someone getting dental work done that has had certain surgeries such as valve replacements and knee replacements, they are told by their MD that they may need prophylactic antibiotics, because manipulation by the dentist may introduce bacteria that could travel to and infect the replacement.

We know that people that get certain URIs regularly, have a risk that it can seed to heart valves and cause vegetations.

Bacterial pneumonia, means that they have an infection of the lungs. As the lungs are quite vascular, I suppose that there really is not much to keep that bacteria infecting the lung to become a bacteremia and travel to other areas of the body. Though I doubt that it is common.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I know that staph likes to travel through the blood to other sites.... joints are included.