Food Poisoning and Reactive Arthritis

Most episodes of food poisoning, although unpleasant and painful, are relatively brief. The digestive tract reacts to rid the body of the toxins as quickly as possible. Abdominal cramping and diarrhea are distinctly unpleasant, but they are time-limited. Symptoms usually resolve in three to seven days. The victim is exhausted, but can take comfort in knowing that the episode is over.

For a few unfortunate people, that reassurance does not hold. After the acute episode of food poisoning, they will suffer a serious after-effect called reactive arthritis, which is the body’s reaction to the infection caused by the food poisoning. Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter, bacteria which cause food poisoning are all associated with attacks of Reactive Arthritis.

Also called Reiter’s syndrome or post-infections arthritis, the condition affects the joints of the knee, the hip, and the ankle. The eyes or the urinary tract are also sometimes involved. Inflammatory symptoms of swelling, pain and tenderness, and heat in the affected areas may be present. Reactive arthritis may last for a few weeks or for as long as a year. Occasionally it becomes a chronic condition.

Reactive arthritis may cause pain in one or both heels, hips, knees, or ankles. When the urinary tract is involved, the patient may experience burning or stinging with urination, soreness and redness of genital tissue, and urinary incontinence. For men, symptoms can include pain in the penis. Skin and eyes may become reddened, hot, and painful. Small pustules may form in the mouth and on the penis.

If you have suffered a food poisoning episode, and you believe that the infectious agent was Salmonella, Campylobacter, or Shigella, and you now are suffering symptoms of Reactive Arthritis, you should consult your health care provider as soon as possible for evaluation of your condition. Although there is no treatment which will end the condition, your health care provider can recommend medications such as NSAID’s, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, which can decrease pain and other inflammatory symptoms.

If your food poisoning infection and reactive arthritis have been caused by negligent and unsafe food handling practices, you may have a claim against the restaurant or other food handler or the supplier. If you have suffered from this painful disorder and you believe you have a claim, you should consult an experienced food poisoning attorney as soon as possible. Most states have laws called statutes of limitation, which prescribe how long you have to file a claim or a lawsuit. If you delay past the time limit, your right to seek restitution for your injury may be denied.