The Flu and RA symptoms
I have had RA for 4 years now. It’s been a roller coaster ride trying different things to manage it.ive been in the middle of a bad flare when last week I caught the flu from my son. Day 4 into the flu I started noticing my ankles didn’t look as swollen and my knees didn’t hurt when I woke up in the morning. Day 5, although I was sick and still running a fever I noticed that by bedtime I could completely close my right hand and felt no pain. It was if my body said, “ahh this is what it feels like to be RA free again!” As day 6 approached, during the night my fever broke(4-5am). I got up for the day at 7:30 with pain in my knees and swell ending in my hands and couldn’t make a fist again! I can’t help but think this was because my body was fighting the flu germs instead of attacking itself. My question is—has anyone else had this happen?
Hi
. I know that you are not alone in finding your RA symptoms lesson during an illness, but return (and often with a vengeance) when you get better. This happens with my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here). Most notably, when she had COVID an ankle that had been swollen for as long as I have known her and by all accounts years before that suddenly got better, as did other symptoms. She wrote about this experience here: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/autoimmune-disease-coronavirus-risk. Kelly's rheumatologist had the same thought you expressed - the immune system had something real to fight and thus was diverted from attacking the body. Unfortunately, the flare afterward may come from the immune system still being in hyper mode and returning to attacking the body. I've even seen some research into seeing if what has been witnessed in situations like this can be harnessed into a treatment where the immune system is tricked into thinking it has something else to focus on to stop the autoimmune attack - fingers crossed that something good can come from it. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team) 
thank you for sharing your experience. I have not had this happen. However, I did read what my team mate wrote in response to your post, about his wife Kelly's experience. I also read the article he sent. It makes sense what you said, "my body was fighting the flu germs instead of fighting itself."
I have had several friends that have autoimmune disorders (RA and Lupus)and were pregnant. They all reported lessened RA symptoms when pregnant. However, after they gave birth all of them said their RA symptoms came back very strongly. I know this has been researched also.
Again, appreciate your sharing. I learn and grow so much from my fellow community members. Thanks for being part of our community. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member"
I've had a similar experience to what you're describing. If I get a cold or when I had COVID recently, I found that my RA was not as severe as it usually is, even when treated with biologics. Looking over the comments here, I could see how a diversion in the immune system to viruses/bacteria/etc. makes sense. But still--weird how our bodies would respond like that!
Stay well,
David (RheumatoidArthritis.net Contributor/Moderator)
