Reactive Arthritis
Reactive arthritis is an inflammatory disease that occurs in reaction to infections by certain bacteria particularly involving the genitourinary or gastrointestinal system.
The most common infections include the sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia trachomatis, and bowel infections like Clostridium dicile, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia.
Arthritis may present several weeks after the infection. Once called Reiter’s syndrome, reactive arthritis is a “spondyloarthropathy.” Reactive arthritis often facts men between 20 and 50 and symptoms can last for days or become a chronic condition.
What Are the Signs/Symptoms?
Reactive arthritis symptoms include pain and swelling in knees, ankles, or heels; swelling of toes or fingers; and persistent lower back pain that tends to be more severe at night or in the morning.
It may cause irritating, red eyes, burning during urination, or a rash on the palms or soles of the feet.
To diagnose reactive arthritis, a rheumatologist may look for these symptoms as well as signs of the original infection.
It is important to remember that most people with these very common infections don’t get reactive arthritis.
People who test positive for the HLA-B27 gene may be at higher risk for severe or chronic arthritis, but those who test negative may get reactive arthritis too.
People with weakened immune systems from HIV or AIDS may also develop reactive arthritis.