I had an infected mosquito bite for months and a huge flare up occurred afterwards but my md discounted my infection as a trigger
June 1
Yes, infections can absolutely trigger an RA flare. When the body fights off an infection, it mounts an inflammatory response — and for someone with RA, that extra inflammation can set off a flare. A myRAteam member shared their experience after getting sick: "I contracted COVID in early January, and my RA flared up Show Full Answer
Yes, infections can absolutely trigger an RA flare. When the body fights off an infection, it mounts an inflammatory response — and for someone with RA, that extra inflammation can set off a flare. A myRAteam member shared their experience after getting sick: "I contracted COVID in early January, and my RA flared up immediately after." Others have noted similar patterns with stomach viruses and other illnesses.
The good news is that these are considered "predictable flares" — meaning once the infection clears and your body recovers, the flare often settles down too.
That said, there's an added layer of caution here. If you're taking immune-suppressing RA medications, you may be more vulnerable to infections in the first place. So it's worth:
- Staying up to date on recommended vaccinations
- Contacting your rheumatologist if a flare lasts more than two days
- Letting your doctor know if you develop a fever above 100.4°F, as this can signal an infection that needs attention
June 1
COVID-19 and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Essential Updates
Read more >
Join
Your Privacy Choices
