what is reactive arthritis

Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain and swelling triggered by an infection in another part of the body, most often the intestines, genitals, or urinary tract. It usually develops after a bacterial infection in the digestive or urinary tract or the genitals, but arthritis symptoms typically do not set in until after the infection has cleared. Reactive arthritis is not contagious, but it is caused by some infections that are contagious, such as chlamydia, salmonella, or another infection. The most common symptoms of reactive arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, eye inflammation, and urinary problems. The knee and ankle joints are frequently affected, and many people experience pain in the sacroiliac joints in the lower back as well. Most people diagnosed with reactive arthritis find they have good days and bad days. It usually clears up within six months without leaving any lasting problems. However, a small number of people do go on to develop another type of arthritis that needs long-term treatment.