Question 1

What is Reactive Arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Reactive arthritis is an inflammatory condition that develops as a reaction to an infection in another part of the body, commonly affecting joints, eyes, skin, and the urinary tract. It is caused by bacterial infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Salmonella, Shigella, or Campylobacter that trigger an autoimmune response. The HLA-B27 Antigen test is the most important test for assessing genetic risk, as individuals with this marker have significantly greater susceptibility to developing reactive arthritis.

Question 2

What causes reactive arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Reactive arthritis is caused by bacterial infections in other parts of the body that trigger an autoimmune inflammatory response. The most common bacterial culprits include Chlamydia trachomatis (sexually transmitted), Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Yersinia (typically from contaminated food). Your immune system responds to these infections by mistakenly attacking your own joints, eyes, skin, and urinary tract, causing inflammation weeks after the initial infection has cleared.

Question 3

What is the best test for reactive arthritis?

Accepted Answer

The HLA-B27 Antigen test is the most important test for reactive arthritis because it identifies a genetic marker strongly associated with developing this condition. About 75-80% of people with reactive arthritis test positive for HLA-B27, compared to only 6-8% of the general population. This test helps assess your genetic risk and supports diagnosis when combined with clinical symptoms. For a more comprehensive genetic assessment, the HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 and DQ High Resolution test provides detailed profiling of multiple genetic markers that influence susceptibility to reactive arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Question 4

When should I get tested for reactive arthritis?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you develop joint pain and swelling in your knees, ankles, or feet within a few weeks of having a gastrointestinal infection or sexually transmitted infection. Testing is particularly important if you also experience eye redness or inflammation, painful urination, skin rashes on your palms or soles, or lower back pain along with joint symptoms. Early genetic testing with HLA-B27 helps your healthcare provider assess your risk and develop an appropriate treatment plan, especially if you have a family history of inflammatory arthritis conditions.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of reactive arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Reactive arthritis typically causes joint pain and swelling, especially in your knees, ankles, and feet, that develops 1-4 weeks after an infection. You might also experience eye redness or inflammation (conjunctivitis), painful urination or increased urinary frequency, lower back pain and stiffness, heel pain, and skin rashes on your palms or soles. Some people develop mouth sores or inflammation where tendons attach to bones. The classic triad includes joint inflammation, eye problems, and urinary tract symptoms, though not everyone experiences all three.

Question 6

Who is at risk for reactive arthritis?

Accepted Answer

People aged 20-40 are at highest risk for reactive arthritis, with men slightly more likely to develop the condition after sexually transmitted infections and women more susceptible after gastrointestinal infections. Individuals who test positive for the HLA-B27 genetic marker have a significantly greater risk of developing reactive arthritis following infections. Your risk increases if you have had recent bacterial infections from Chlamydia, Salmonella, Shigella, or Campylobacter, or if you have a family history of reactive arthritis or related inflammatory conditions like ankylosing spondylitis.

Question 7

What happens if reactive arthritis is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated reactive arthritis can lead to chronic joint pain and permanent joint damage, particularly in weight-bearing joints like knees and ankles. Some people develop chronic arthritis that persists for months or years, with recurring flares of inflammation. Eye inflammation can progress to vision problems if not treated promptly. About 15-50% of people experience recurrent episodes, especially if they carry the HLA-B27 genetic marker. Early diagnosis and treatment with anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy can prevent long-term complications and improve your chances of complete recovery.

Question 8

Can reactive arthritis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Blood tests cannot directly diagnose reactive arthritis, but they play an important role in risk assessment and supporting clinical diagnosis. The HLA-B27 Antigen test identifies genetic susceptibility, as most people with reactive arthritis carry this marker. Your doctor may also order tests to check for signs of infection, inflammation markers like C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and rule out other types of arthritis. Diagnosis ultimately relies on your medical history, physical examination, symptom pattern, and timing relative to a recent infection, with genetic testing providing valuable supporting evidence.

Question 9

How is reactive arthritis treated?

Accepted Answer

Reactive arthritis is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce joint pain and inflammation. If symptoms are severe or persistent, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid injections into affected joints or oral steroids for more widespread inflammation. Some people need disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like sulfasalazine or methotrexate if the condition becomes chronic. Physical therapy helps maintain joint mobility and muscle strength. If the underlying bacterial infection is still active, especially with Chlamydia, antibiotics are prescribed to clear the infection and potentially reduce symptom duration.

Question 10

How can I prevent reactive arthritis?

Accepted Answer

You can reduce your risk of reactive arthritis by preventing the infections that trigger it. Practice safe food handling by cooking meat thoroughly, washing produce carefully, and avoiding unpasteurized dairy products to prevent gastrointestinal infections. Practice safe sex and use barrier protection to prevent sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia. Maintain good hand hygiene, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. If you develop a bacterial infection, complete your full course of antibiotics as prescribed to fully clear the infection and potentially reduce the risk of triggering reactive arthritis.

Question 11

What can I do at home for reactive arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Rest affected joints during flare-ups while staying moderately active with gentle exercises like swimming or walking to maintain flexibility. Apply ice packs to swollen joints for 15-20 minutes several times daily to reduce inflammation and pain. Use heat therapy with warm baths or heating pads to ease stiffness, especially in the morning. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on weight-bearing joints. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga, as stress can worsen inflammation and trigger symptom flares.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
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Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
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Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
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            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
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Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
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Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
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Reactive Arthritis Blood Test

What is Reactive Arthritis?

What causes reactive arthritis?

What is the best test for reactive arthritis?

When should I get tested for reactive arthritis?

References

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