If one gets a gastrointestinal infection the symptoms can be both aggravating and miserable. Still, stomach bugs are pretty much here today and gone tomorrow. A person may miss a day or two of work and then go back and everyone will feel sorry for him or her and say, it must be that bug going around. Well, if the bug is bacteria and not viral, there may be even more health consequences than imagined.

Likewise, venereal ailments, many of which are very treatable now, can have unforeseen consequences that are even more far reaching that the immediate affects. Any time the human immune system is assaulted, particularly by bacterial infections, which are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, one may be in danger of developing a form of arthritis known as reactive arthritis.

What is Reactive Arthritis.

Reactive arthritis is a condition that can develop after a bacterial infection. For the most part, reactive arthritis occurs when there is a venereal infection, particularly Chlamydia or a gastrointestinal infection, commonly dysentery or salmonella. These infections can move into the joints as well as the eyes, stomach lining, the mouth and even the heart and cause inflammation of the tissue.

Because reactive arthritis affects more than the joints, it can be diagnosed fairly quickly when the physician is looking for it. There is no particular test that can provide a definitive diagnosis, however most patients possess a common genetic marker known as HLA B27. Another indication of the disease is that it asymmetrical, meaning it is more noticeable on one side of the body than the other. In addition, if the arthritis is accompanied by inflammation in non-joint tissue, it is a strong indicator for this diagnosis.

Are You At Risk For Reactive Arthritis.

While both men and women can contract reactive arthritis, it is most common in white males who possess the genetic marker HLA B27. If a male is sexually active and contracts a sexually transmitted disease, especially Chlamydia, he is at the highest risk. If the trigger is a gastrointestinal infection, there is less risk, but women who contract reactive arthritis are more likely to get it from this condition rather than the venereal condition.

Persons who are at risk should always practice safe sex or abstinence. Those who have weakened immune systems should take all the necessary precautions to avoid infection. While anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids can be effective in treating reactive arthritis, the best treatment is to take reasonable precautions to avoid bacterial infections altogether.

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