Facts: Reactive Arthritis (ReA) an inflammatory arthritis that occurs after an infection either the urogenital tract (bladder, vagina or urethra) or the gastrointestinal tract. It may involve painful inflammation in the urinary tract (urethritis), eyes (conjunctivitis), and joints (arthritis). Reactive arthritis typically begins two to four weeks after a venereal infection or intestinal infection (diarrhea). Other symptoms of ReA include:
- Inflammation at sites where tendons attach to bone, especially heel pain, the attachment point of the Achilles tendon.
- Low back and/or buttock pain
- Several rashes such as:
- A rash or bumps on the soles or palms which consolidate to large scaly patches.
- Shallow, painless lesions on the penis.
- Shallow, painless lesions on the tongue or hard palate.
Medications are available that can reduce the pain and inflammation.