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Reactive arthritis

Arthritis reactiva (morbus Reiter) · Reaktivní artritida

What it is

Joints, eyes and urethra inflamed a few weeks after a gut or chlamydia infection — the immune response outlasts the germ.

Symptoms & signs

  • Painful swollen knees, ankles or toes
  • heel pain where tendons attach
  • red sore eyes
  • burning on urination
  • sausage-shaped toes
  • low back pain

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now A single hot, swollen joint with fever — rule out joint infection
  • call 112 / 911 now Painful red eye with blurred vision or light sensitivity
  • see a doctor soon Burning on passing urine or discharge — test for chlamydia
  • see a doctor soon Joint swelling lasting over 6 weeks

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Test for chlamydia and gut infection; treat partners
  • NSAIDs
  • steroid injection into a joint
  • sulfasalazine or methotrexate if it lasts beyond 6 months

Natural & lifestyle

  • Rest in flares, then keep moving
  • safe sex and food hygiene to prevent it
  • cold packs on hot joints

Emerging & experimental

  • Long antibiotic combinations for chlamydia-triggered cases
  • TNF blockers for chronic disease

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Omega-3 fish oil — anti-inflammatory; trials in rheumatoid arthritis, not in this early / small studies
  • Probiotics after a gut infection — plausible; untested anecdotal / traditional
  • Nightshade-free diets — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes