How long does reactive arthritis last?
On One Hand: A Few Weeks or MonthsReactive arthritis, also called Reiter’s syndrome, usually hits young men under the age of 40. Reactive arthritis is an autoimmune reaction to a bacterial infection, and causes urinary symptoms, eye pain, joint pain and skin lesions. The disease usually clears the body in a few weeks but sometimes lasts as long as several months.On the Other: May Become ChronicSome people appear to have a genetic predisposition to reactive arthritis. About half of the people infected with reactive arthritis will have a recurrence of symptoms within several years. For a few people who experience recurrent reactive arthritis, the condition will become a chronic, lifelong problem.Bottom LineReactive arthritis usually lasts only a few weeks or months, but may become chronic in some people. The condition usually develops in response to gastrointestinal infection or food poisoning.
