Reactive Arthritis

Symptoms

The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually develop shortly after you get an infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection or bowel infection.

It can also affect the:

• genital tract
• eyes

However, not everyone will get symptoms in these areas.

You should see your GP as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms, especially if you have recently had diarrhoea or problems peeing.

Joint symptoms

Reactive arthritis can affect any joints, but it's most common in the knees, feet, toes, hips and ankles.

Symptoms include:

• pain, tenderness and swelling in your joints

• pain and tenderness in some tendons, especially at the heels
• pain in your lower back and buttocks
• sausage-like swelling of your fingers and toes
• joint stiffness – particularly in the morning

Genital tract symptoms

Sometimes, you can also have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). These include:

• needing to pee suddenly, or more often than usual

• pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• smelly or cloudy pee
• blood in your pee
• pain in your lower tummy
• feeling tired and unwell

Eye symptoms

Occasionally, you may get inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis or, rarely, iritis).

Symptoms can include:

• red eyes
• watery eyes
• eye pain
• swollen eyelids
• sensitivity to light

See an eye specialist or go to A&E as soon as possible if one of your eyes becomes very painful and the vision becomes misty.

This could be a symptom of iritis – the sooner you get treatment, the more successful it is likely to be.

Other symptoms

Reactive arthritis can also cause:

• flu-like symptoms
• a high temperature (fever)
• weight loss
• mouth ulcers

• a scaly rash on the hands or feet
  

Causes

Typically, reactive arthritis is caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia, or an infection of the bowel, such as food poisoning.

You may also develop reactive arthritis if you, or someone close to you, has recently had glandular fever or slapped cheek syndrome.

The body's immune system seems to overreact to the infection and starts attacking healthy tissue, causing it to become inflamed. But the exact reason for this is unknown.

Risk Factors

People who have a gene called HLA-B27 are much more likely to develop reactive arthritis than those who don't, but it's unclear why.

Treatment Options

Treatment usually focuses on:

• using antibiotics to clear any STI that may have triggered the reactive arthritis
• using painkillers such as ibuprofen to relieve joint pain and stiffness
• managing any severe or ongoing arthritis, usually using medications such as steroids or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

When To See A Doctor

If you have symptoms of reactive arthritis, you should see your GP, especially if you have recently had symptoms of an infection – such as diarrhoea, or pain when peeing.