Reactive arthritis is an arthritic condition that develops as a response to an immunological challenge.
Common triggers are:
• Food poisoning
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Viruses like flu and rubella
• Rubella containing vaccines can also trigger arthritis.
A manufacturer’s information leaflet for MMR vaccine states, "Arthralgia and/or arthritis (usually transient and rarely chronic), and polyneuritis are features of infection with wild-type rubella and vary in frequency and severity with age and sex, being greatest in adult females and least in prepubertal children. Following vaccination in children, reactions in joints are generally uncommon (0.3 percent) and of brief duration. In women, incidence rates for arthritis and arthralgia are generally higher than those seen in children (12.20 percent), and the reactions tend to be more marked and of longer duration. Symptoms may persist for a matter of months or on rare occasions for years." This is because vaccine viruses can cause a similar immunological challenge to naturally acquired viruses.
Symptoms of reactive arthritis include:
• Pain, swelling and tenderness in the knees, ankles, toes or all three
• Back pain
• Misshapen toes
• Skin disorders
• Opportunistic infections caused by a weakened immune system, such as bladder infections and thrush.
Treatments:
The trigger that started the arthritis will be treated first, as this can often put a stop to the symptoms. If you have a sexually transmitted infection, you will be given medicine for this. Using condoms prevents STI’s.
If you’ve been exposed to a bacterium, you will be offered antibiotics. These won’t work for viruses as they are anti-bacterial and not anti-viral. If you want to try a natural anti-viral treatment, you could try taking vitamin C supplements, which help boost the immune system’s ability to fight infections. You could also try drinking probiotics every day. This is a good idea even if you’re taking antibiotics from your doctor, as they re-balance the natural flora in the gut and help counter the immune suppressive effect of antibiotics.
Once your trigger condition has been resolved, then the reactive arthritis can be treated. Anti-inflammatory drugs can be given to ease pain and swelling. Injections of steroid to the affected area can be given. If your arthritis is persisting for many weeks or months, or longer, you may be offered an anti-arthritis drug called a Cox-2 inhibitor. Cox-2 is an enzyme responsible for inflammation and its accompanying pain. Cox-2 inhibitors don’t seem to place as much strain on the liver as anti-inflammatory pain medications do, but there is a concern that they may cause blood clots and heart failure, so they should be taken with caution and under strict medical guidance.
Osteopathy and massage can be used to relieve pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, as well as other self-help measures like resting, ice packs on the affected area (or heat lotion, depending on what feels better to you), and warm baths with aromatherapy oil. If you want to try aromatherapy, consult a qualified practitioner as some oils are contraindicated in people with certain medical conditions.
If you’re struggling to cope, there are organizations and support groups that can help you find coping mechanisms and even make new friends.
Sources: Arthritis Care, UK
http://emc.medicines.org.uk/medicine/20968/SPC/MMRVAXPRO/
Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/. She is author of the book, 'Breast Milk: A Natural Immunisation,' and co-author of an educational resource on disabled parenting, in addition to running a charity for people damaged by vaccines or medical mistakes.