Living with Reactive arthritis
Joint inflammation that develops as a reaction to an infection elsewhere in the body, sometimes with eye or urinary symptoms.
Understanding Reactive arthritis
It may appear weeks or even months after the infection has cleared. Along with joint inflammation, it can cause red, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and inflammation of the urinary tract (urethritis). These may occur alone, together, or not at all.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
- Low back pain
- Red, irritated eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Inflammation where tendons attach to bone (enthesitis)
- Abdominal pain or diarrhea
- Nail or skin changes
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute and Spondylitis Association of America may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute, Spondylitis Association of America
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Autoimmune Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the exact cause isn't known. It may follow infection with bacteria like Salmonella, Yersinia, Campylobacter, Shigella, or Chlamydia trachomatis. Certain genes, such as HLA-B27, may raise the chance of it.
Also known as: arthritis occurring after infection; arthritis urethritica; fiessinger-leroy disease; polyarthritis enterica; post-bacterial arthropathy; post-infective arthritis
Patient organizations
- Autoimmune AssociationReactive arthritis · United States
- Global Autoimmune InstituteReactive arthritis · United States
- Spondylitis Association of AmericaReactive arthritis · United States
- Arthritis FoundationReactive arthritis · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Reactive arthritis.
Explore research for Reactive arthritis
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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