Reactive arthritis
Reactive arthritis
Reactive arthritis causes inflammation (redness and swelling) in different parts of the body.
It usually develops after an infection, and in most cases it clears up within a few months without causing any long-term problems.
Reactive arthritis can occur at any age, but it most often affects young adults between 20 and 40 years old. Men are generally affected more than women.
Common Symptoms
Emergency Warning Signs
Speak to an eye specialist or go straight to a hospital emergency department if:
- one of your eyes becomes painful and your vision starts looking blurred or misty
Speak to your doctor if you have:
- joints that are painful and swollen, especially if this follows an infection such as diarrhoea or a burning feeling when you pass urine
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Speak to an eye specialist or go straight to a hospital emergency department if:
- one of your eyes becomes painful and your vision starts looking blurred or misty
Speak to your doctor if you have:
- joints that are painful and swollen, especially if this follows an infection such as diarrhoea or a burning feeling when you pass urine
Causes
Causes of reactive arthritis
Reactive arthritis is usually linked to an infection. This includes:
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – like chlamydia or gonorrhoea
- gastrointestinal infections – like food poisoning
The body’s immune system seems to over-react to these infections. It then starts to attack healthy tissue, leading to inflammation.
People with a gene known as HLA-B27 are also more likely to develop reactive arthritis. But, it’s not clear why this is the case.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing reactive arthritis
There’s no single test for reactive arthritis. But, different tests may be used to check for infection and rule out other reasons for your symptoms. This includes:
- blood tests
- urine tests
- genital swabs
- X-rays
- samples of fluid from a joint or joints
- stool sample
Your GP will also want to know about your recent medical history. For example, whether you may have recently had a bowel infection or an STI.
Treatment
Treating reactive arthritis
There is no cure for reactive arthritis but the condition is usually temporary.
Symptoms can often be controlled using:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- painkillers like ibuprofen
Severe symptoms may need to be manged with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Antibiotics don’t treat reactive arthritis itself. But, you may be prescribed antibiotics to treat an infection like an STI.
Things you can do
Do
- get plenty of rest
- avoid using the affected joints
- apply ice to swelling (don’t place ice directly on the skin)
Once your symptoms improve, it’s also helpful to begin some gentle exercise. Focus on strengthening the muscles and improving the range of motion in joints.
Speak to a healthcare professional about exercises for you. You may be referred to a physiotherapist.
Prevention
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are a common cause of reactive arthritis. To help prevent this, always use a barrier method of contraception during sex, such as a condom.
Further information on contraception is available.
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