Cause

• An infection in the intestinal or urogenital tract (vagina, urethra or bladder) is usually responsible for causing reactive arthritis. The bacteria from the infection will set off a reaction of inflammation. Chlamydia, a sexually-transmitted disease, is the most common bacteria that cause reactive arthritis. In addition, it has been linked to bacteria in the digestive tract. The Arthritis Foundation also cites your chances of getting reactive arthritis as increased if you have the HLA-B27 genetic factor, which is associated with many rheumatic diseases.
  
  

Symptoms

• The most common symptoms of reactive arthritis are conjunctivitis (an infection of the eye), urethritis (a urinary tract infection) and inflammation within the joints. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe and usually begin about two weeks after infection. Some people with reactive arthritis also develop a rash or waxy, raised bumps on their palms or soles. Inflammation on the genitals or oral ulcers are also possible.
  
  

Diagnosis

• After a health professional has gone over symptoms and given a physical exam, there are some tests used to diagnosis reactive arthritis. Though there is not one specific blood test to identify the disease, your doctor will probably run a C-reactive protein, sedimentation rate, antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor to help with diagnosis. Chlamydia tests and synovial fluid analysis can also be helpful in identifying rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  

Treatment

• Anti-inflammatory medications, often nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are used to treat reactive arthritis. If the inflammation is severe, steroids like corticosteroids can be given orally, topically or by injection. If there is still an infection, antibiotics will be given to eliminate it. In severe cases of joint inflammation, your doctor may give you DMARDs (Disease modifying Antirheumatic drugs) or TNF inhibitors. Light exercise is usually recommended.
  
  

Recovery

• Reactive arthritis usually disappears within a year, sometimes as early as three months after the disease first presents symptoms. There is rarely any long term damage to the joints or eyes from reactive arthritis.