What is reactive arthritis?

Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs after a certain infection. Generally, the symptoms of reactive arthritis are very obvious and can be divided into systemic symptoms and other symptoms. Systemic symptoms include fever, sweating, and significant weight loss. Other symptoms include obvious manifestations of urinary and reproductive tract inflammation, so everyone should pay more attention.

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a type of arthritis that occurs after infection in certain specific sites (such as the intestinal tract and urogenital tract).

Systemic symptoms

Systemic symptoms are often prominent, usually with fever, weight loss, fatigue, weakness and sweating appearing several weeks after infection. The fever is moderate to high. There are 1 to 2 peaks per day, which are usually not affected by antipyretic drugs. It usually lasts 10 to 40 days and resolves on its own.

arthritis

The first symptom is often acute arthritis, which typically occurs 1 to 6 weeks after a urinary tract or intestinal infection. The disease occurs acutely. Most cases are mono- or oligoarthritis with asymmetrical distribution, presenting as sausage-like fingers (toes) with periarthritis. Arthritis usually lasts for 1 to 3 months, and in some cases it can last for more than half a year. It mainly affects the large joints of the lower limbs such as the knees and ankles. The shoulders, wrists, elbows, hips, and small joints of the hands and feet may also be affected. The affected joints are hot, swollen, painful, and tender. The knee joint is often swollen and has a large amount of fluid. Back discomfort often radiates to the buttocks and thighs. Worsened by bed rest and inactivity. The classic manifestation of enthesopathy is Achilles tendon enthesitis. The initial symptoms usually subside within 3 to 4 months and return to normal. However, the disease tends to relapse, and some patients may develop joint deformities, ankylosing spondylitis, sacroiliitis and/or spondylitis during repeated attacks.

Urogenital tract inflammation

Typically, patients develop sterile urethritis 7 to 14 days after sexual contact or diarrhea. Male patients experience frequent urination and urethral burning. The urethral opening is red and swollen, and clear mucous secretions can be seen. Spontaneous remission of hemorrhagic cystitis or prostatitis may also occur. Balanitis is a painless, superficial, erythematous ulcer on the glans penis and urethral opening that occurs in 20% to 40% of male patients. The occurrence of balanitis has nothing to do with the presence or severity of urethritis. Balanitis usually heals within a few days or weeks, but rarely it may last for several months. Female patients may present with asymptomatic or mild cystitis and cervicitis, with a small amount of vaginal discharge or difficulty urinating.