What is reactive arthritis?
Reactive arthritis is joint inflammation that develops after an infection elsewhere in the body — usually gut or urinary. Symptoms include joint pain, eye inflammation and urinary symptoms. Most cases resolve within 3-12 months.
Last updated 2026-07-01. This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does reactive arthritis last?
Most people recover fully within 3 to 6 months. Around 1 in 5 develop longer-lasting joint problems, and a smaller number go on to develop a chronic inflammatory arthritis, which is why early specialist input matters.
Is reactive arthritis curable?
Yes — for most people reactive arthritis settles completely once the triggering infection clears and inflammation is treated. NSAIDs, joint injections and physiotherapy speed recovery.
Can reactive arthritis come back?
It can. People with the HLA-B27 gene are more likely to have repeat episodes, often triggered by a new gut or urinary infection. Practising food hygiene and safer sex reduces the risk.
How is reactive arthritis diagnosed in the UK?
Your GP will ask about recent gut, urinary or chest infections and examine your joints, eyes and skin. Blood tests (CRP, ESR, HLA-B27), urine tests and sometimes joint fluid analysis or imaging are used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other arthritis.
Is reactive arthritis contagious?
No. Reactive arthritis itself cannot be passed from person to person. However, the infections that trigger it (such as chlamydia or salmonella) can be — so treating partners and practising good food hygiene matters.
What is the difference between reactive arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
Reactive arthritis is triggered by a recent infection, usually affects one or a few large joints, and most people recover within months. Rheumatoid arthritis is a lifelong autoimmune disease that typically affects small joints on both sides of the body and needs long-term medication.