Reactive Arthritis (Reiter Syndrome)

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is reactive arthritis? " пїЅ Reactive arthritis is a kind of arthritis that happens after an infection. It causes pain and swelling in joints. пїЅ пїЅ

Reactive arthritis usually affects people who have or just had: пїЅ пїЅ

Food poisoning or another kind of infection of the intestines
An infection that you catch through sex

Reactive arthritis is sometimes called "Reiter syndrome. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of reactive arthritis? " пїЅ The main symptoms of reactive arthritis are pain and swelling in the joints. These usually happen 1 to 4 weeks after an infection. In most cases, the symptoms affect only a few joints, usually in the knees, ankles, or feet. пїЅ пїЅ

Other symptoms might include: пїЅ пїЅ

Pain in the tendons in the feet and ankles (tendons are tough bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones)
Irritation of the eye called "conjunctivitis " пїЅ (also known as pinkeye)
Pain when urinating

Is there a test for reactive arthritis? " пїЅ No. There is no test. But if your doctor or nurse can figure out what type of germ caused your infection, he or she should be able to tell if you have reactive arthritis. Your doctor or nurse can test your stool (bowel movements) or urine to look for certain kinds of germs. пїЅ пїЅ

If your doctor or nurse cant tell what germs caused your infection, he or she will study your symptoms to decide how likely it is that you have reactive arthritis. пїЅ пїЅ

How is reactive arthritis treated? " пїЅ The symptoms of reactive arthritis are treated with medicines, including: пїЅ пїЅ

NSAIDs " пїЅ This is a large group of medicines that includes ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (sample brand names: Aleve, Naprosyn). Your doctor or nurse might prescribe a dose higher than you would normally take to relieve pain.
Other medicines " пїЅ If NSAIDs do not help your symptoms, your doctor or nurse might give you a shot of steroids. Steroids help reduce inflammation. These steroids are not the same ones that athletes use to build muscle. Your doctor might also give you more steroids to take at home.There are also other medicines that might help if your symptoms do not get better with NSAIDs or steroids.
Eye drops " пїЅ Special drops can help relieve redness and irritation in your eyes. But if you have eye pain or trouble seeing, visit an eye doctor to make sure you don't have a more serious problem.

Antibiotics do not usually help with the joint symptoms of reactive arthritis. Even so, your doctor or nurse might prescribe them if you still have an infection. пїЅ пїЅ

When will I feel better? " пїЅ Most people with reactive arthritis get better quickly. Some people continue to notice symptoms, either constantly or just once in a while. пїЅ пїЅ

If your back gets very stiff and sore, see your doctor or nurse. This might mean that your reactive arthritis has turned into a more serious problem. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 16733 Version 4.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Reactive Arthritis (Reiter Syndrome)

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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