Understanding Salmonella: A Guide to its 10 Symptoms

9. Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis is a rare complication that occurs in six to 30% of all Salmonella infections. The reactive arthritis "triad" includes arthritis, conjunctivitis, and urethritis, which lead to inflammation in the joints, eye irritation, and burning during urination. Symptoms of reactive arthritis appear weeks to months after exposure to the bacteria. The cause of this complication is not entirely understood, but it is associated with foodborne bacterial infections. Some experts theorize that reactive arthritis is an autoimmune disorder triggered by an excessive immune response to food poisoning.